The problem of weak security implementation is hardly limited to computers, if research by the University of South Carolina and Rutgers University are any indication. Data from tire pressure sensors built into cars' tires could essentially be monitored or even manipulated using programmable radio equipment costing just $1,500 and some free software.

In a nutshell, the researchers managed to interfere with the readings of two different tire pressure monitoring system, causing warning lights on the dashboard to activate. And because the pressure sensors contain unique IDs, vehicles could theoretically be tracked as well.

Still, the team was quick to emphasize that there is no actual security threat to the vehicle this point, and since tire sensors communicate infrequently at between 60 to 90 seconds, any invasion of privacy is hard to perpetuate. What is clear to me though, is that security was not taken into account when designing the system. 

In this case, car makers seem to be relying on the obscurity of the communications protocols used instead of any real security measures. With an increasing number of components within the modern vehicle being controlled by computers, such an attitude could eventually prove to be a disastrous one.

For more on this story:
- check out the article at Ars Technica
- check out the article at Technology Review

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