LONDON, May 6 The use of satellite navigation systems for directions by British motorists has opened another door for hackers to use against their victims.
The computer systems may offer drivers convenience in reaching their destination, but the advice they get could be coming from a trouble-making computer guru, The Sunday Telegraph reported.
"It is actually very simple," said Andreas Barisani, an official with a computer security firm. "You can close roads, you can create queues and you can redirect people. "You can direct traffic all on to one route and create a clear route for yourself," she said. "There are all sorts of uses for this." While experts like Barisani have called for upgrades for the technological option, Sheila Rainger of the RAC Foundation suggested drivers not use the systems as a substitute for thinking.
"But (satellite navigation systems) should be a helping hand, not a replacement brain," she told the Telegraph. "People shouldn't hand over all sense of direction to them."
Copyright 2007 by UPI
