WHEN EVIL NERDS HACK INTO NEW CAR COMPUTERS AND CAUSE CHAOS

There is something to be said for Model T technology: At least Hank Ford didn’t have to worry about some misguided sociopath hijacking his Tin Lizzies.

The situation is vastly different a hundred years later, because now it is possible for a hacker to grab control of your new vehicle and cause dangerous problems.

Researchers found that they could hack into the computer systems of new cars and destabilize the brake system, eliminate the brake system or just shut down the engine completely. Lesser forms of evil acts included radio volume control, a/c control, and locking the doors. The researchers tied into the Controller Area Network (CAN) on an unnamed brand of car and just had fun with it.

These research guys were on the side of good.

But the possibility exists that a computer geek with a bad attitude and an endless series of dateless Saturday nights...

might decide to act out against a world that has conspired to keep him celibate.

The researchers devised their electronic carjacker wireless technology as a warning about this unseen drive by wire hazard in modern vehicles. Imagine a Lincoln Navigator under the control of an anti-social hacker on a busy freeway. The possibilities are endless under the remote control of an evil (and possibly sexually frustrated) nerd.

At best it makes for an interesting movie plotline. At worst, it is the stuff of nightmares in the hands of a terrorist nerd who doesn’t quite buy the martyr concept to meet women. Very heartless terrorists/nerds might even make victims listen to Justin Bieber music before they provide a merciful crash to end the unnecessary brutality.

There is a price to be paid for all of the whistles and buzzers involved in an ultra-high tech world where computer geeks are not exactly 98lb. weaklings in a real sense. Maybe it is an overly paranoid reaction to illustrate the dangerous possibilities, but all bets are off after 9-11 in this world.

But at least we know that any antique vehicle show and shine will be driven by the guy behind the wheel and not a twisted nerd with a remote control.

It’s just another great reason to love old iron.