Dealerships installed alarms in millions of vehicles—and left them in even if the buyer didn’t want them. Now researchers warn they can be hacked to unlock, track, and disable cars.
I’m not going to say software in cars doesn’t have its uses — it massively helped VW lower emissions — but there can be too much of a good thing.
I don’t know why security always comes last unless it’s used to take away our rights.
it massively helped VW lower emissions
Now I’m not sure if referencing actual value or tongue-in-cheek referring to the VW infamous scam, haha.
I don’t know why security always comes last
- Time runs out on the imaginary timeline some PM has given for a project
- Non-revenue-generating features and work is ditched “for now”
- Security doesn’t impact this quarter’s numbers
FTA:
a model of aftermarket car alarm known as the KARR Security System, installed in more than 2 million vehicles across the US by their estimate
The KARR alarm devices are typically installed by car dealers, not manufacturers or owners, and used as a measure to prevent auto theft from dealer lots. Yet when the cars are sold, the alarms typically aren’t removed, even if the buyer declines to pay for it as an additional feature.
you can check if your car has the device by looking for a KARR sticker on your car’s driver-side window—or in some cases a sticker reading, “SWDS” for SouthWest Dealer Services, a subsidiary of Acrisure Protection Group—as well as a small button with a blinking light attached to the underside of your car’s dashboard.
I’m going to guess that these are independent used car dealers, not branded dealers selling new cars.