If you have a Nissan LEAF, you know that there are a number of great benefits, including the ability to remotely turn on your heater or air conditioner from your phone, track where you have been, and more. While all of this is great and offers a new level of convenience to drivers, there have been some problems in the implementation of the LEAF app – NissanConnect EV (for Android and Apple iOS devices).
Remote Hacking
Recently, an Australian researcher, along with a few friends, realized that they were able to remotely connect to LEAFs all over the world. In fact, when testing what they had found, the Australian was able to use the app and the Internet to connect to a friend’s car in the UK. Seemingly without any barriers, the researcher was able to get a significant amount of information from the car’s computer, including power usage, charge state, recent trips, and more. He was also able to use the app to turn on the heated seats and control the heating and cooling system.
App Pulled
Because of the significance of the vulnerabilities, the researcher contacted Nissan to let them know that there was a major problem. Luckily, as soon as they were made aware of the issue, Nissan pulled the app. Since the app is no longer available there is no longer the vulnerability that the cars had. All systems in the car still work, you just can’t control them via smartphone at the moment. Instead, these systems need to be controlled manually with the app down.
Nissan has stated that they are working on the vulnerabilities and will be releasing an updated version of the app soon. While there is little information right now about what the new app will entail, it is expected to have better security settings. There is not currently a release date for the new app, since the company wants to make sure that it is as secure as possible, but they have stated that it will be released soon.
Increased Safety
One of the biggest things that LEAF owners need to understand is that while the hacking could cause a lot of grief, there were not major security flaws found. For example, the steering could not be controlled through the app. While your battery could be drained and others could access where you have been, it was not as bad as some sensationalists tried to make it seem.
The new app will have increased security and negate these problems. Your Nissan LEAF is secure, and as time goes on will continue to get more secure. Nissan takes your safety seriously, and they are working to ensure that they have a solid, safe app before the re-release.
If you’ve heard about Nissan LEAFs being hacked in the last few months, don’t let it worry you too much. The automaker is aware of the security holes in the app, and because of this they have pulled it. The company is working to create a more secure option for those who own a LEAF and other vehicles that can be used with the app in the future.
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