Could a small device hidden beneath your dashboard make your car easier to break into? Nancy from Newtown, Pennsylvania, asked me where she should look for the KARR or SWDS "code" in her 2025 Cadillac XT5 and 2024 Hyundai Tucson Limited Hybrid.Here is the first thing you need to know.There is no code to find in your vehicle's settings.
KARR and SWDS refer to aftermarket security hardware that a dealership may have installed before selling the car.SWDS stands for Southwest Dealer Services, the company associated with several KARR-branded vehicle protection products.The device usually sits beneath the dashboard on the driver's side.
You may also find a KARR or SWDS sticker on the driver-side window.So, before you start searching through menus or calling the automaker, here is how to find out whether your vehicle has one of these devices and what to do next.15 SECURITY ESSENTIALS TO KEEP YOUR VALUABLES SAFE FOR SUMMER TRAVELA Bluetooth flaw in dealer-installed KARR and SWDS security devices could expose about 2.2 million vehicles to unauthorized access.(David Baillot/University of California San Diego/Jacobs School of Engineering)CyberGuy Live: Missed "Sick of Spam?" Get the replay and checklistOur free CyberGuy Live class "Sick of Spam?" has ended, but you can still watch the full replay and download our spam-stopping checklist.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson walks you step by step through simple ways to reduce robocalls, spam texts, junk email and unwanted messages.You’ll also learn how to curb political texts, clean up your inbox and spot messages that could put your personal information at risk.Get the free replay and checklist now at CyberGuyLive.com.Computer security researchers at the University of California San Diego uncovered a Bluetooth vulnerability affecting at least 2.2 million vehicles.
The flaw involves dealer-installed KARR and SWDS security devices.A person standing within about five yards of a vulnerable vehicle could connect to the device through B...