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Hacked cars and the future of usage-based insurance

With the next generation of connected cars, manufacturers will likely continue their efforts to introduce safer and more reliable vehicles.

By Avner Freiberger | Updated on March 22, 2016
The vehicle hacking incidents that have been reported to date often are the result of long-term research. (Photo: iStock)

In 2015, a devious pair of hackers, from the comfort of their living room, took control of a driver’s sport utility vehicle as he was cruising 70 mph along a St. Louis highway. Without warning, the driver was hit by a blast of frigid air emitting from the dashboard vent. Hip-hop music began blaring from the vehicle’s sound system. 

The driver hardly had time to react when, next, wiper fluid squirted onto the windshield and the wipers began swiping furiously. Then he lost control of the SUV’s steering and braking systems. Not yet done toying with him, the hackers locked the SUV’s transmission, bringing the vehicle to a halt on the fast-moving highway. Just as the driver began pleading for relief, a large truck bore down on him from behind.

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