Caution With OnStar

[ChangeMan]

Maybe we need to be very cautious when we consider using OnStar or any of the other 'we'll unlock your car using our computer network or satellite' serivces.

Just because we're not logged on, doesn't mean they can't find us.


http://www.thestreet.com/pf/tech/scottmoritz/10230252.html

Among the concerns investors have about the company is the 80% or so stake still held by Warburg Pincus. Insiders may want to reap further rewards for their early investment and continue to cash out. Also, while still some time away, NeuStar's exclusive contract to run the nation's numbering plan expires in 2011.

Of course, until then that means every service from General Motors' (GM:NYSE) OnStar to cable's Net calling needs a number assigned by NeuStar. And to some investors that's a lot of phone numbers and a lot of opportunity.

[elehhhhna]

1. one more layer of tinfoil, if you don't mind--

what are the odds thay can listen in without your knowledge? lol

[Hutzpa]

2. Then you have no clue how

far tecnology have come, need to do some research to find out.

[Syncronaut Seven]

5. Actually, Onstar has been cooperating with LEO's

Open mikes and all. Check your agreement, This feature was envisioned since OnStar's inception. Prosecutions have already taken place using "open mike" evidence. Used to require a warrant, today? I don't know.

Where you been man? I hope you've got it covered by now.

We live in a paranoid society, there is a reason.

[Mythsaje]

3. I'd never get a vehicle equipped with that crap.

My wife and I do NOT trust it. When they first came out we looked at one another and laughed. "As if..."

[RoyGBiv]

4. Something else to consider ...

I'll note up front that the following anecdote may be a unique incident, or at least unique to an area. It also may have been corrected. I don't know since I haven't checked.

The security guard in our building was idly listening to his radio scanner (over-the-counter, Radio Shack variety) one day and heard something strange, an OnStar code being transmitted over a radio frequency in the clear. He thought he was certainly mistaken about what he heard, but he focused on that particular channel, and throughout the day, every time a car's OnStar service was activated, personal information about the car's purchaser was transmitted without any hindrance to it being picked up by anyone with such a scanner. Details included DL#, name, address, phone, VIN, and a security code.

I would never use OnStar, for a lot of reasons.

[oneold1-4u]

6. Believe it or not

There have always been unexplained "vagabond" radio and even light and sound signals emitted through weird contraptions. It is known that these signals can interchange and often change frequencies with no master reasoning. Seems that when humankind believe they are "all intelligence", the world tosses a wrench into their meaningless works!
We are pretty insignificant as only mindless wannabes to control in the universe!