Now-fixed web bugs allowed hackers to remotely unlock and start any of millions of Subarus. More disturbingly, they could also access at least a year of cars’ location histories—and Subaru employees still can.
I am not a car owner, but think that if faced with something like this, I’d consult with forums and/or a reputable mechanic on how to remove the telematics unit altogether. Apparently it is easy on some cars.
On my 2019 Outback, I can kill this function by pulling the telematics fuse. But this also kills the front speakers. I need to look into disconnecting the antenna, but I’m a little unsure about removing the headliner to access the bottom of the antenna. Is there another way?
This is why so many cars have been moving towards a centralized control center, instead of individual knobs and buttons. For starters, plugging in a touchscreen is a lot faster and easier (and thus cheaper to mass produce) when compared to wiring harnesses for knobs and buttons. But the biggest reason is to make it virtually impossible to disable specific tracking/data collection features without totally destroying your car’s functionality. In many cars, if you disable the tracking stuff, you also disable the AC, radio, cruise control, etc… Because it’s all built into that single hub, and you can’t selectively disable certain parts without killing the whole thing.
I am not a car owner, but think that if faced with something like this, I’d consult with forums and/or a reputable mechanic on how to remove the telematics unit altogether. Apparently it is easy on some cars.
On my 2019 Outback, I can kill this function by pulling the telematics fuse. But this also kills the front speakers. I need to look into disconnecting the antenna, but I’m a little unsure about removing the headliner to access the bottom of the antenna. Is there another way?
This is why so many cars have been moving towards a centralized control center, instead of individual knobs and buttons. For starters, plugging in a touchscreen is a lot faster and easier (and thus cheaper to mass produce) when compared to wiring harnesses for knobs and buttons. But the biggest reason is to make it virtually impossible to disable specific tracking/data collection features without totally destroying your car’s functionality. In many cars, if you disable the tracking stuff, you also disable the AC, radio, cruise control, etc… Because it’s all built into that single hub, and you can’t selectively disable certain parts without killing the whole thing.
For the Subaru’s, you have to take out the stereo head unit/screen and pull some wiring/module off of it.
Its apparently not terrible, but it’s a big ask for people who don’t deal with car audio/electrical on a regular basis.
Then I’d ask a mechanic that normally services it. The telematics are too much of a problem to not resolve.