Plus, Trump softens his stance on Huawei, Scary Granny creates real horror, and U.S. cities continue to grapple with ransomware
Hack your car with PASTA
For $28,300, consumers can now purchase PASTA (Portable Automotive Security Testbed). Created by Toyota, PASTA is an open-source testing platform that checks a car’s vulnerability to hacking. Dark Reading reported researchers can use the testbed to study how a car’s ECUs (engine control units) operate, as well as how elements of the vehicle communicate with each other. In addition to offering the sophisticated tool to consumers, Toyota believes there is an industry application to PASTA where other carmakers can use it in their own research and development. The tool is designed to simulate attacks and to test for other vulnerabilities and exploits, but not for hacking the vehicle while it is moving. PASTA is housed in a stainless steel briefcase, included in the price tag.
“Having tools that facilitate the work of security researchers to find vulnerabilities in car systems is more than welcome,” commented Avast Security Evangelist Luis Corrons. “The fact that PASTA is open-source and other car makers can adopt it is even better.”
This week’s fact
In 2017 alone, U.S. federal agencies reported 35,277 cyber incidents.
Trump’s comments on Huawei alarm security watchdogs
President Trump announced that U.S. companies can sell their equipment to Huawei if “there’s no great security problem with it,” toyota releases hacking pasta avast
