Are Hackers Really At The Gas Station Now?

Unfortunately – yes.

As our cars become increasingly networked — not just through telematics systems like Uconnect and OnStar, but also through vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-grid communications – the risk of bad guys and gals tinkering with those networks goes up.

Well, if you’re one of those folks who truly fear the havoc that hackers can wreak, we have some bad news: they’re now targeting gas stations.

But wait, it gets worse: the gas stations aren’t really fighting back.

Following some mischief at a gas station in February, two tech researchers set up dummy systems to see if hackers would take the bait. They did. Repeatedly – especially on the systems that appeared to be in the U.S.

Some weren’t actually attacked, just “pinged”, so that hackers could verify that they were there. If the baddies found a use for them in the future, they could come back.

The good news is that gas station monitoring systems can’t be used to do anything that’s directly disruptive. For example, hackers can’t take control of a system and blow up a gas station.

The bad news is that hackers can still cause a lot of headaches by messing with these systems. For example, they could alter the readings on a particular station so that a fuel truck delivering refills could cause a tank to overflow, creating a fire hazard. The hackers could also keep tabs on delivery schedules and plan attacks that way. They could also burrow in and insert their own safety systems, locking fuel companies out until they’d paid a ransom.

And what’s the worse news? There’s not a lot of security on many of these systems, mostly because the companies that own them don’t see the potential for danger.

At Car Direct, our goal is to help you in finding the right vehicle for you.  Check out our inventory page to see what we currently have in stock.  Don’t see what you’re looking for?  Give us a call – that vehicle may be on its way in.  If not, we’ll find it for you!

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Car Direct USA Once Again Supports The Local Community By Sponsoring They Will Surf Again Event

!cid_F8C2ABBB-C936-41EB-B1C6-97D7ECAA9602Car Direct USA shows their support in the local community by sponsoring Life Rolls On, a subsidiary of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, on Saturday, August 8 at the Virginia Beach oceanfront for They Will Surf Again.

They Will Surf Again (TWSA) is an award-winning series of bi-coastal events that empower paraplegics and quadriplegics to experience the freedom of mobility by riding a wave with the assistance of adaptive equipment and the support of hard working volunteers. They Will Surf Again has the unique ability to engage and bridge the able-bodied and disabled communities, as they collaborate to push the bounds of possibility for those with SCI.

When the opportunity came up for Car Direct USA to sponsor this event, Brian Jones, a local surfer himself and Dealer Operator for Car Direct USA, jumped on it.  “As a local business owner and a father myself, it means so much to me to be able to give back to the community and make a difference.  Watching those who you wouldn’t think could get on a surfboard be able to ride the waves is an inspiration to us all, and we are proud to be a part of this event” Jones commented.

Life Rolls On is a non-profit organization that inspires others to see the boundless possibilities beyond paralysis. Established in 2002, LRO’s signature adaptive surfing program, They Will Surf Again, has grown into a catalyst of hope for thousands of individuals throughout the world.

About Car Direct USA: Located in Virginia Beach, VA, Car Direct USA has fresh Inventory arriving daily with prices starting below most Virginia Beach Competitors, and a wide selection of brands including Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Nissan and Toyota to select from. A key feature of Car Direct USA is its on-site financing and wide array of lenders. For more information about Car Direct USA, visit www.cardirectvirginia.com or call 1-757-464-1200.