Canada's Top 10 List of Most Stolen Cars for 2011

Huh?!?!?According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the 2009 Toyota Venza 4-door was the most popular car in Canada to be stolen by car thieves.

Yesterday, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) released its annual list of the top 10 vehicles stolen in Canada. The 2009 Toyota Venza 4-door can now shout "we're number one" after replacing the 2000 Honda Civic SiR that took top honours in 2010. That model of Honda dropped down to third place this year.

According to Statistics Canada, vehicle thefts, along with other property crimes, are dropping. In 2010, 15,300 fewer vehicles were stolen throughout the country than were taken during the previous year. But the IBC notes that while these thefts have dropped, so has the recovery rate. This suggests a lot of thefts are carried out by organized crime as opposed to young people out to have a little fun.

Rick Dubin, Vice-President, Investigative Services, Insurance Bureau of Canada, said,
We're doing a good job of stopping stolen vehicles at the ports. Our data indicates that we are not seeing many of these vehicles there. We have to conclude that stolen vehicles are being re-sold locally. But because these stolen vehicles are in these local markets, buyers need to be careful.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada advises the public to only purchase vehicles from reputable dealers and to trace the history of the car. Similarly, when repairs are needed, consumers should only deal with legitimate auto repair shops. There is a lucrative market for parts taken from high end cars, crossovers, and trucks.

The IBC advises if anyone is looking for a reputable repair or auto body shop, they can contact an insurance company or the IBC.

The IBC's list of most frequently stolen vehicles is as follows:
1. 2009 Toyota Venza 4-door
2. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
3. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
4. 2006 Ford F350 Pickup Truck 4WD
5. 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT 4-door
6. 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS 4-door 4WD
7. 2007 Ford F350 Pickup Truck 4 WD
8. 2001 Pontiac Aztek 4-door AWD
9. 1998 Accura Integra 2-door
10. 1999 Acura Integra 2-door

Source;
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/316130#ixzz1gcKDG9BV

Hackers break into Subaru Outback via text message

By Christopher Trout posted Aug 4th 2011 5:17PM

We've already seen SCADA systems controlled by Google Search, and now the Black Hat Technical Security Conference is offering up yet another slice of cringe-inducing hacker pie. A pair of pros from iSec Partners security firm was able to unlock and start the engine of a Subaru Outback using an Android phone and a process they call war texting. By setting up their own GSM network, they were able to snatch up password authentication messages being sent from server to car, allowing them the option to ride off in a brand new crossover. Apparently, your car isn't the only thing in danger of a war-texting takeover, however, as the team says there are a slew of devices and systems, accessible over telephone networks, that are vulnerable to similar attacks, including A-GPS tracking devices, 3G security cameras, SCADA sensors -- and thus the power grid and water supply -- home automation, and urban traffic control systems. Somehow this group of otherwise innocent looking New York texters appears a whole lot more sinister now.

Source (via www.autoblog.com);
http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/04/hackers-break-into-subaru-outback-via-text-message/