Volkswagen confirms security bug that means 100 million cars could be opened by hackers
A FLAW in remote locking systems fitted to around 100 million cars has been discovered.
The bug affects vehicles with a remote lock activated by a key.
It could affect popular cars like Volkswagen's Golf models, as well as vehicles from its subsidiaries such as Audi, Seat and Skoda.
Other vulnerable brands include Citroen, Peugeot, Renault, Fiat, Nissan and Ford.
Hackers can exploit the security system in these cars as there are not enough different passwords in remote keys.
Researchers recorded radio signals from a key and reproduced it later to open the corresponding car.
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Volkswagen suggested the flaw, discovered by German and British researchers, was mostly of academic interest.
However German authorities are currently investigating the theft of a car which could have been taken using this method.
German media reported that vehicle security systems have improved in recent years, and older models are more likely to be affected by the flaw.
But insurers pointed out car thefts have decreased. Just 18,000 cars are stolen every year in Germany compared to 105,000 23 years ago.
