Tesla offers $200,000 and a Model 3 to hackers

Confident in the inviolability of its software, Tesla challenges hackers to find security flaws and rewards those who succeed.

There are two ways to look at things: the first, not very smart, is to believe that Tesla is careless about the security of its software. The second, much more relevant, proves that the topic is extremely important, and by challenging the best hackers in the world to crack its software codes, the American manufacturer strengthens its security.

This very scientific approach to problem-solving is frankly brilliant. And it ultimately costs much less than hiring thousands of computer engineers. For a carrot that seems huge – 200,000 dollars (184,000 euros) and a Model 3, totaling about 240,000 dollars (221,000 euros) – Tesla saves itself quite a bit of hassle… and a lot of money!

There are good hackers and bad hackers

The vulnerability of software is a highly sensitive topic among car manufacturers, especially now that cars aim to become autonomous. It must be inviolable; otherwise, hackers could take control and create disasters.

This vulnerability also needs to be addressed in the case of car theft via simple computer connection. Thus, one could parody the sketch of the hunters and say that there are good hackers and bad hackers. Here, Tesla challenges the “good” hackers, those who have a professional and legal activity on one side and see the manufacturer’s initiative as a game.

Hackers who found a flaw in the infotainment system of Tesla are, for example, united in an organization and work in groups. The electronics are so complex that it’s no longer the work of a lone genius.

Now it remains to be seen how they will share the use of the Model 3 that they won.

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