the blockbuster film Fast & Furious 8, one of the most memorable scenes involves a hacker remotely taking control of hundreds of cars at once — crashing them, steering them into police forces, and even creating a “zombie car” swarm.
It’s dramatic. It’s chaotic.
But the big question is: Can this actually happen in the real world?
In this article, we break down the movie scene from a cybersecurity perspective, explore real-world car hacking possibilities, and evaluate how close Hollywood came to reality.
What Happens in Fast & Furious 8?
The antagonist, the elite cybercriminal Charlize Theron (as Cipher), uses her hacking arsenal to:
- Remotely break into connected cars
- Override vehicle control systems
- Accelerate or steer cars without drivers
- Create coordinated attacks in urban traffic
This sequence made headlines — and raised serious public concerns about car hacking.
Can Hackers Really Control Cars Remotely?
The short answer: Yes, but not at the scale shown in the movie.
Let’s break down what is real and what is Hollywood fiction.
REALITY: Cars Can Be Hacked
Cybersecurity researchers have repeatedly demonstrated remote car exploitation:
1. The Jeep Cherokee Hack
In 2015, the well-known cybersecurity duo Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek remotely took control of a Jeep Cherokee by exploiting the vehicle’s Uconnect system.
They managed to:
- Cut the brakes
- Control the steering at low speeds
- Kill the engine
- Take over dashboard systems
This forced Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to recall 1.4 million vehicles.
2. Tesla Vehicle Exploits
Security researchers have also demonstrated attacks on Tesla, though Tesla’s security posture is among the strongest in the industry.
3. Wireless Attacks on Key Fobs
Relay attacks allow hackers to:
- Unlock vehicles
- Start engines
- Steal cars without a key
This is very real and extremely common.
FICTION: Hacking Thousands of Cars at Once
Here’s what makes the Fast & Furious 8 hack unrealistic:
1. Cars Don’t Share a Central “Control Network”
Every vehicle model uses a different:
- Operating system
- Firmware
- CAN bus logic
- Communication interface
A single exploit wouldn’t apply to hundreds of car types simultaneously.
2. Most Cars Don’t Allow Remote Driving
Even in connected cars:
- Remote acceleration
- Steering override
- Brake deactivation
…are heavily isolated systems and not internet-exposed.
3. Large-Scale Attacks Would Require Massive Infrastructure
To hack hundreds of cars:
- Hackers would need access to manufacturer servers
- Or exploit a widely-used telematics platform
- Or compromise a cloud-connected fleet (e.g., taxis or rentals)
No such attack has ever been seen.
So What’s Partially Realistic?
The film exaggerates, but some parts mirror real risks.
✓ Remote hacking of some connected vehicles — REAL
Through telematics or vulnerabilities.
✓ Disabling brakes or steering — POSSIBLE but rare
Requires deep access to the CAN bus.
✓ Coordinated multi-car attack — UNLIKELY
Unless an entire fleet uses one vulnerable system (e.g., rideshare vehicles).
✓ Full city-wide zombie car swarm — HOLLYWOOD
This level of wide-scale cyber-physical chaos is not currently feasible.
How Automakers Mitigate Car Hacking Risks
Car manufacturers now implement stronger cybersecurity controls:
- Secure OTA (over-the-air) updates
- CAN bus segmentation
- Intrusion detection systems (IDS)
- Digital key encryption
- Hardened telematics units
- Bug bounty programs
Leading firms like Tesla Motors and General Motors employ full-time security teams.
What Drivers Should Do to Stay Safe
Here are simple ways drivers can minimize the risk of car hacking:
1. Keep your car software updated
Many vulnerabilities are fixed silently via OTA updates.
2. Disable unused wireless features
Turn off:
- Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- Remote unlock features
If unused.
3. Use a Faraday pouch for key fobs
Stops relay theft attacks.
4. Avoid unknown USB devices
Yes — a malicious USB drive can hack a car.
Final Verdict: Hollywood Hype, but Real Lessons
The scene in Fast & Furious 8 is fun, chaotic, and exaggerated — but it highlights a genuine concern:
Modern vehicles are computers on wheels, and every computer is hackable.
While we are nowhere near the nightmare of city-wide car swarms, targeted car hacks are absolutely real. Cybersecurity must remain a priority for automakers, regulators, and drivers alike.
