Police: Laptop Used to Reprogram, Steal More Than 100 Cars

From “Police: Laptop Used to Reprogram, Steal More Than 100 Cars”
Associated Press (08/05/16) Posted by ASIS.

Police have arrested two men in Houston for allegedly using pirated computer software to steal more than 100 vehicles. Michael Arce, 24, and Jesse Zelaya, 22, focused on new Jeep and Dodge vehicles that are lucrative on the black market in Mexico, authorities said. Using a laptop computer, the men allegedly reprogrammed the targeted vehicles’ electronic security so their own key worked. The stolen vehicles relied on a common software used by auto technicians and dealers, according to Houston police officer Jim Woods. Computer security expert Yoni Heilbronn says computerization and Internet connectivity increase vehicle security in some ways, but also increase the risk of theft and malicious disabling. Automakers are cooperating to develop best practices and to share information on cybersecurity threats.

Author: Gregory Schmidt, CPP, PSP, CHSS

Gregory M. Schmidt, CPP, PSP, CHSS of Eagle/ Trident Security is board certified in Security Management, Physical Security, and Healthcare Security supervision. He has over thirty years of experience developing dynamic security programs, plans and policies for businesses in Indiana, Kansas and Florida. His conversation-style personal safety seminars are highly regarded and always in demand. Mr. Schmidt is a member of ASIS International, the International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering.

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