Video Daily: Angry former employee shuts down 100 cars remotely

Omar Ramos-Lopez, an angry ex-employee of the Texas Auto Center in Austin took out his revenge on his former employer by remotely shutting down 100 cars, using the company's computer system.

After hacking into the vehicle immobilization system, Lopez either deactivated the starters of the cars, or activated the horns, leaving them honking all night.

80 of those affected complained to the company about missing school, work, or of having to get their car towed, or repaired.

The system, run by Pay Technologies (PayTeck) is only supposed to be used if a car owner fails to pay their loan or lease obligations.

Lopez was arrested and charged with breach of computer security.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 18 Mar 2010 18:56

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14 comments

llongtheD

Its just comforting to know that your car can be diabled via a computer. I personally would rather worry about it being stolen, than have this technology in place. And what is up with this idiot? He's mad at his employer, so he takes it out on the customers? I don't get it.

If your fish seems sick, put it back in the water.

18.3.2010 20:43 #1

khmernize

Piss off customers will lead to bad word of mouth will lead to less sells.

18.3.2010 21:53 #2

cart0181

Razor: Remember, hacking is more than just a crime. It's a survival trait.

Good job kid. So why did they fire you?

On the other hand why so stupid to do it from your house?

lol, at changing customer information to "2Pac," etc.

19.3.2010 00:45 #3

TBandit

Wow if I had known they were putting those in cars I go elsewhere, that just sounds stupid in the first place.

19.3.2010 01:54 #4

SProdigy

Originally posted by TBandit: Wow if I had known they were putting those in cars I go elsewhere, that just sounds stupid in the first place. This technology is in place to protect the seller, as most of the cars with this tech are used and sold to consumers with poor and/or no credit. It's scary, but I agree that there is risk on both ends now, instead of just risk with the seller.

Unfortunately some d-bag had to go and make this an issue by abusing the system.

19.3.2010 09:41 #5

Josipher

lol but putting all this aside u gotta admit the idea is pretty funny :P

mods go home

19.3.2010 12:41 #6

zam100

My local news also reported that he ordered $130,000 in parts from the GPS maker and is facing felony charges. What a moron!

19.3.2010 13:55 #7

KillerBug

It is like DRM...for cars!!!

You better pay your bill on time...if you are a day late, your car won't start, and you can't drive to go pay it!

20.3.2010 01:21 #8

shaffaaf

imobilizers, are on practially every car int he last few years, nothign new.

21.3.2010 22:35 #9

juventini

There was no hacking envoled. Reporters don't know what hacking means.

Forza Juve!!

22.3.2010 12:14 #10

Mez

Originally posted by llongtheD: Its just comforting to know that your car can be diabled via a computer. I personally would rather worry about it being stolen, than have this technology in place. And what is up with this idiot? He's mad at his employer, so he takes it out on the customers? I don't get it. Why be surprised you rightly identified him as an idiot. I love the Nisson key-less cars. If you leave your remote near a cell phone when it rings it can clear the access key. There it must be towed to the dealer. You are REAL screwed if this happens on Saturday after the shop closes.

I would rather have my car stolen.

25.3.2010 14:35 #11

s_c47

Hilarious. Too bad he wasn't more clever.

Someone told me once that theres a right and wrong, and that punishment would come to those
who dare to cross the line.
But it must not be true for jerk-offs like you.
Maybe it takes longer to catch a total a__hole.

25.3.2010 22:18 #12

p4_tt

lol this is rather funny apart from the fact somebody could have had an accident or had something very important to do. By funny i mean the honking horns ^^

"He's mad at his employer, so he takes it out on the customers? I don't get it."

Yeah lol ever worked in retail, customers and some bosses ain't all that nice =)

25.3.2010 23:03 #13

Dr_Shifty

Check out the reporter error at 44 seconds. "They can track the car down and start it from stopping."

Start it from stopping?

26.3.2010 08:15 #14

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