EXCLUSIVE: Ultra-wideband radio has been heralded as the solution for “relay attacks” that are used to steal cars in seconds. But researchers found Teslas equipped with it are as vulnerable as ever.
As a Tesla owner I’m probably biased, but I do not fear these attacks at all. Thing is, because a Tesla is so connected to the mothership (and I definitely realise that’s both a good and a bad thing), chances of a thief actually being able to use or sell the vehicle are very slim. Tesla always knows where their cars are, and urning off GPS and LTE ruins 90% of the features in the car. I think thieves know this because I haven’t heard of any Tesla getting stolen and not being retrieved (but n=1).
Used Tesla battery is actually in demand though. Is the exploit is accessible enough, eventually thieves would target it to sell the battery in the used market for electric car conversion kits, solar power storage kits, etc.
As a Tesla owner I’m probably biased, but I do not fear these attacks at all. Thing is, because a Tesla is so connected to the mothership (and I definitely realise that’s both a good and a bad thing), chances of a thief actually being able to use or sell the vehicle are very slim. Tesla always knows where their cars are, and urning off GPS and LTE ruins 90% of the features in the car. I think thieves know this because I haven’t heard of any Tesla getting stolen and not being retrieved (but n=1).
Used Tesla battery is actually in demand though. Is the exploit is accessible enough, eventually thieves would target it to sell the battery in the used market for electric car conversion kits, solar power storage kits, etc.
The main purpose of a car is “driving”, which you can do. Unless you cannot start a Tesla without LTE, which would be very stupid.
You can also always strip a car for parts. Teslas are not magically safe from that.
The kind of person who is going to disable that LTE connection wouldn’t have bought a Tesla in the first place.
You’re renting it?
can it still… ya know, move like a car does?