A digital assault on a U.S. vehicle breathalyzer company has rendered motorists throughout the United States immobilized, preventing them from starting their automobiles.
Intoxalock, the affected firm, declared on its online portal that it is “currently experiencing downtime” following a digital intrusion on March 14. This company provides breathalyzer apparatuses that integrate with car starter mechanisms, mandated for individuals who must submit a clear breath alcohol reading before operating their vehicles.
Rachael Larson, a representative for Intoxalock, affirmed to TechCrunch that the firm had been affected by a digital assault. Larson further indicated that the company implemented measures to “temporarily halt some of our operations as a preventative step.”
These breathalyzer units necessitate periodic adjustment every few months; however, the system breach has rendered Intoxalock incapable of conducting these essential calibrations. The firm noted that clients whose devices need adjustment might encounter postponements when igniting their automobiles.
Motorists sharing on Reddit report that automobiles cannot be activated if an adjustment is missed, essentially preventing drivers from accessing their vehicles.
As per regional media accounts throughout Maine, motorists are facing access restrictions, with some being incapable of operating their vehicles. A car repair facility in Middleboro informed WCVB 5 in Boston that it has had automobiles idled on its premises for the entire week owing to the digital disruption.
Nationwide media coverage indicates that motorists from New York to Minnesota are impacted. These drivers have been unable to operate their vehicles because their in-car alcohol detection systems cannot undergo prompt adjustment.
Intoxalock declined to disclose the nature of the digital assault it was encountering, such as whether it involved data-locking malware or an information compromise. Nor would the firm confirm if it had gotten any contact from the attackers, including any extortion requests. According to its online portal, the company’s system is deployed across 46 jurisdictions, purporting to offer support to 150,000 motorists annually.
Intoxalock offered no projected schedule for its restoration.
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