Can ETC be hacked?
2 Answers
ETC in vehicles can be hacked, but it is generally safe for normal use, though there is a possibility of theft. Here are some relevant details about ETC: 1. ETC Overview: ETC stands for Electronic Toll Collection, also known as Automatic Road Toll System. It is a specialized road tolling method primarily used on highways, toll bridges or tunnels, and certain urban road sections to alleviate traffic congestion. 2. Precautions: Maintain a distance of at least 10 meters from the vehicle ahead to prevent the system from mistakenly charging for the preceding vehicle. 3. Reasons for Failed Deductions: When using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may cause deduction failures. The ETC lane recognition speed is set at 20 km/h—if the vehicle exceeds this speed, the system may fail to read the vehicle's device information, resulting in a failed charge.
I was also worried about the risk of ETC card theft. After some research, I found that ETC cards with quick payment function enabled do pose a risk, as some criminals can use POS machines near car windows to steal small amounts of money. However, I learned that since 2020, banks have defaulted to disabling small-amount contactless payments for ETC cards. The ETC card I currently use is a dedicated card issued separately by the bank, which doesn't have any financial functions at all, so there's no need to worry while driving. I recommend choosing this type of single-purpose card when applying for ETC. If you already have a co-branded card, it's best to go to the bank to disable the contactless payment function or set a payment limit. Another tip is to remove the card and store it in the glove compartment when the car is not in use.
