this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2025
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The tech used here is the popular Flipper Zero, an ethical hacker’s swiss army knife, capable of all sorts of things such as WiFi attacks or emulating NFC tags. Now, 404 Media has found an underground trade where much shadier hackers sell extra software and patches for the Flipper Zero to unlock all manner of cars, including models popular in the U.S. The hackers say the tool can be used against Ford, Audi, Volkswagen, Subaru, Hyundai, Kia, and several other brands, including sometimes dozens of specific vehicle models, with no easy fix from car manufacturers.

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[–] potatopotato@sh.itjust.works 43 points 2 days ago (3 children)

To be clear, the flipper is just a Girl Tech IM-me with an NFC chip. If it lets people do a thing, that thing has been possible for decades. Just wait until someone makes a popular device based on a cheap fully featured wideband SDR like the AD9363 or LMS7002. Shit is gonna get fucking wild.

[–] ayyy@sh.itjust.works 11 points 2 days ago

It’s like how people think the Raspberry Pi is the only single board computer.

[–] mesamunefire@piefed.social 11 points 2 days ago

Lol yeah a very cheap rtlsdr with a chip for transmission can do the same as a flipper. Flipper just makes it easy.

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[–] xthexder@l.sw0.com 10 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Weren't Kia Boys stealing cars with literally just a USB cable since it physically fit to turn the ignition behind the key cylinder?
That doesn't require buying a special device, it was mostly crimes of convenience. I doubt the Flipper Zero will ever get that widespread.

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[–] pepperprepper@lemmy.world 9 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Thought cars were bad, not sure many people have an understanding of how our emergency broadcasts and alerts work. US needs some huge infrastructure updates.

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[–] Ballissle@lemmy.zip 11 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Really? I see these fairly often on local fb marketplace. I was tempted out of curiosity to get one but I dont have a use outside of mucking about.

[–] MegaUltraChicken@lemmy.world 27 points 2 days ago

outside of mucking about.

The best use case of all.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

They don't really have many legitimate, practical uses for most people. They're ideal for pentesters.

[–] echolalia@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 days ago

Prentending to be hackerman is a legit usecase IMHO. They do seem like fun, but I personally can't justify the cost.

I would definitely play with one if I had one

[–] muusemuuse@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I kinda want to see if this would work on my car since the proximity detection of the keyfob only works about half the time anyway.

[–] MTK@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] LiveLM@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 day ago

Nobody can get in if even the legitimate owner can't get in! Security babyyy!

[–] int32@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 1 day ago (8 children)

"ethical hacker's swiss army knife" I hate it when they always add "ethical". First of all, when you say ethical you mean law-fearing, they don't really care about ethics and, secondly, "regular" hackers use it too, so it's just a hacker's swiss army knife...

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