Older models have a security flaw
Blackberry, remember that? For a while, it was eminently the coolest phone to have. Businessmen thought it was a nice device because the security was fine and young people ping around with each other. As a phone brand, Blackberry has long been overtaken by all kinds of Android devices and the stuff from Apple. But you still come across the company more often than you think. Blackberry software is in more than 175 million vehicles worldwide.
According to the company, 90 percent of all top car companies use Blackberry’s QNX software. The software helps, for example, with driving assistants and in the future with autonomous driving. Digital counters behind the wheel also use Blackberry software, as well as navigation systems.
But what’s the problem?
According to Reuters Is there a security flaw in old versions of the software? BMW, Ford and Volkswagen cars produced before 2012 are said to be vulnerable to the attacks. Apparently hackers can flood the servers with data causing the system to crash. According to Reuters the software is used for ‘critical functions’ such as the advanced driving assistants.
What will Blackberry do about it?
There are no known cases yet of anyone exploiting the vulnerability, according to Blackberry. What would happen then is unknown. The brand is working on a software update to close the leak. Whenever possible, dealers will update the cars when they are back at the branded garage. Incidentally, we have an inkling that it will run smoothly; cars from that time are not so dependent on the internet yet. And some not at all.
