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The Drive
a minute ago
- The Drive
This $199 Hacking Device Will Probably Let Thieves Steal Your Car
The latest car news, reviews, and features. We live in a timeline where one viral car theft trend is sure to be displaced by the next—and soon. The most dominant carjacking movement of the last few years has undeniably been the Kia Boys, whose members target Hyundai and Kia models with weak and easily tricked security systems. Thefts were so frequent and widespread for a while that recurring cable news segments warned the entire country about them. It now seems like another trend could be brewing as bad actors abuse a device called Flipper Zero to break into cars made by more than a dozen manufacturers. Investigative tech journalism site 404 Media published an in-depth report on the development Thursday morning. The story highlights how hackers are abusing the $199 Flipper Zero—a device defined by its creators as 'a versatile tool for hardware exploration, firmware flashing, debugging, and fuzzing'—to unlock vehicles without a key fob. We've written about these little white-and-orange gadgets before, first when nerds were using them to remotely open Teslas' charging doors, and then again later when someone found out how to use them to turn traffic lights green. The device in action. Flipper This new use for the Flipper Zero is far more nefarious. 404 Media spoke with a Russia-based hacker named Daniel, who says he developed the 'Unleashed' firmware that enables devices to execute more RFID and USB attacks. 'Maybe someone is using it to steal from cars or steal cars,' Daniel said, after alleging that the firmware is 'in demand' with locksmiths and car shop owners. He sells the Flipper Zero patches for either $600 or $1,000, depending on whether customers simply want the latest version or updates with further support. Daniel told 404 Media that he's sold the firmware to 150 or so customers in the past two years, and he works alongside a hacker who goes by Derrow. 'Kia Boys will be Flipper Boys by 2026,' explained Cody Kociemba, a reverse engineer otherwise known as Trikk, to 404 Media. It has such potential to scale because the tech can help thieves infiltrate a large list of vehicles. From Kias and Hyundais to Fords, Hondas, Subarus, VWs, and more, many of today's most popular makes and models are vulnerable. Nearly 200 specific examples are listed in this chart that Daniel uploaded at the beginning of a recent YouTube video. DjonixTV via YouTube Daniel claims it creates a 'shadow copy of the original key.' From what I can tell, however, it's only able to unlock the car—not start it. Still, that poses obvious security risks, even if someone can't drive away with your ride (yet). 'Some cars like Kia are not using any protection at all, which makes it easy to open them,' Derrow wrote in an email. 'For other vendors you must know the source code, then you can open them too.' If you want a more technical breakdown of how the Flipper Zero hacks work, you should check out the full 404 Media report. Really, if you're interested at all, you ought to read it. The most important takeaway is that many, many of the world's most popular cars are largely defenseless against these hacks, and it's seemingly a matter of time before thieves can do more than break into them. Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@
TechCrunch
a minute ago
- TechCrunch
Gas power plants approved for Meta's $10B data center, and not everyone is happy
When Meta selected a site in Louisiana for its largest data center to date, it signed a deal with Entergy to power the site with three massive natural gas power plants. Yesterday evening, a state regulator approved Entergy's plans. The power plants are expected to come online in 2028 and 2029, and at full strength, they'll generate 2.25 gigawatts of electricity. Ultimately, the AI data center could draw 5 gigawatts of power as its expanded. The power plant project has been controversial among Louisianans. One industry-affiliated group is concerned that Meta and Entergy will receive special treatment for a second part of the data center project, which involves building 1.5 gigawatts of solar power across the state, the Louisiana Illuminator reports. The group was formed by large companies, including Dow Chemical, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and others after they struggled to procure renewable power for their own operations. The other issue is that Meta's deal with Entergy lasts for 15 years, and at least one Louisiana Public Service Commission member expressed concern that ratepayers will take on the cost after the contract expires. Natural gas power plants typically operate for 30 years or more. Plus, power projects of this size tend to run over budget, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, and ratepayers are often left with the bill. Ratepayers will also pay for a $550 million transmission line running to the data center, the organization said. Meta has been on a renewable power-buying spree, including a 100-megawatt purchase announced this week. However, these natural gas generators will make the company's 2030 net zero pledge significantly harder to achieve, locking in carbon dioxide emissions for decades to come. To offset the pollution on its balance sheet, Meta will have to buy credits from carbon removal projects.
The Drive
a minute ago
- The Drive
Nissan Xterra and Pathfinder Are Coming Back as Body-on-Frame, Hybrid SUVs: Report
The latest car news, reviews, and features. When I think of the Nissan Xterra SUV, I think of it in bright yellow and jumping over dunes as I 'drove' it on 4×4 Evo for the Sega Dreamcast. I wasn't of driving age when the popular off-roader first came out, but according to a new report, I may have the chance to drive one after all in the not-so-distant future. According to Automotive News , the Japanese automaker shared the news of the Xterra and Pathfinder's return to Nissan's lineup at its national dealer meeting in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Per the outlet, the Xterra was described as a 'rugged, affordable midsize SUV' that'll go on sale in 2028. Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier reportedly shared images of a design study performed by the automaker, teasing a boxy, adventure-ready SUV with an 'upright grille and squarish headlights.' According to the report, these sketches are tied to new, upcoming body-on-frame models like the Xterra, Pathfinder, and Infiniti QX60 SUVs, as well as the Frontier pickup truck. Nissan 'We are laser-focused on product [and] we are just getting started,' Meunier told attendees, according to AN . 'We have done a better job of planning, making sure the right cars are in the right place.' Specs for individual vehicles were not divulged, but the report claims that the upcoming Xterra is expected to feature a hybrid V6 engine with a range extender capable of 75 miles of electric-only driving. These vehicles are expected to be built at the automaker's Canton, Mississippi, factory, where the Frontier is currently built. The annual meeting, which featured new Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa and was attended by 2,500 guests, also revealed other future plans by the automaker, including a Skyline-based Infiniti sedan with a manual transmission, an electrified Rogue crossover, and other updates across the Nissan and Infiniti lineup. After years of slumping sales and a failed merger with Honda, Nissan will be doing all it can to keep dealers and customers on its side, and hope that its new, revamped products can get her quickly enough to avoid more casualties. Got a tip? Email us at tips@
