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Details Behind the Tesla Model S Hack

Two researchers broke into the software of a Tesla recently. But there is good news behind the Tesla Model S hack. A fix was sent to all cars within days.

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Tesla Model S hack

Tesla Model S infotainment system also serves as the command center to the vehicle.

Last week, Marc Rogers, of content delivery network CloudFlare, and Lookout Mobile Security co-founder Kevin Mahaffey completed a digital break-in of a Tesla. But here’s the good news behind the Tesla Model S hack. Tesla quickly released an over-the-air firmware update, to every Model S ever manufactured, that would resolve the security holes uncovered by Rogers and Mahaffey.

The Tesla Hack

Rogers and Mahaffey had to dismantle the dashboard to gain access to an ethernet port. From there, they were able to connect directly to the CAN bus, the controller area network across which car data is sent and received.

After that, they chained together four separate vulnerabilities, first to gain access to the infotainment systems and then the touchscreen used to control vehicle functions. That let them make the speedometer disappear, alter the suspension, unlock the doors and the trunk, and make the windows go up and down. They were also able to shut down the car’s electric motor below 5 mph.

Above that speed, the dashboard screens would go blank but the car would shift into neutral, giving the driver time to find a safe place to bring the car to a stop. “Ironically, that means it’s the only car that can protect itself against a successful cyber attack,” Rogers noted.

Tesla’s Response

“Tesla has taken a number of different measures to address the effects of all six vulnerabilities reported by Lookout. And, we continue to develop further ways to harden our systems, informed by ongoing discussions with the security research community, as well as our own internal analysis. The update has been made available to all Model S customers through an OTA update. We will deploy this update to all vehicles by Thursday,” a spokesperson said in a statement e-mailed to Forbes.

Other auto manufacturers are following in Tesla’s footsteps by making internet updates available for their upcoming line of vehicles, but are starting years behind Tesla.

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Rogers and Mahaffey say they also found two potential browser vulnerabilities that they exposed but did not exploit. Those flaws, resident in the WebKit browser engine, could possibly have enabled remote attacks, but Tesla’s new firmware update has resolved those issues as well.

Tesla CTO Toasts Hackers

While Rogers and Mahaffey were explaining their hacks at Def Con 23 last Friday, Tesla CTO J. B. Straubel made a surprise appearance to offer them a toast and personally thank them for their work. J.B. presented the duo with “Challenge Coins,” which will Tesla will be giving to any researcher who finds a serious security hole in their vehicles.

Tesla's approach to distribute vulnerability and feature updates through over-the-air technology, similar to how one updates software on their mobile device, clearly puts it steps ahead of other automakers.

Chris Evans, who previously worked on Google’s elite Project Zero research team, became head of digital security at Tesla this past week. He was involved in the software update that the company has now sent to all customers. “This gives me really high hopes with Tesla going forward," says Mahaffey. “I would like to see what they’ve done as a reference model for others. I think they’ve got lessons to learn but they’re 75 per cent there."

As cars acquire more digital capability, the opportunities for outside interference either by "white hat" hackers or those bent on doing actual harm will increase. Tesla, though, has the most robust program for identifying and resolving digital security issues of any manufacturer. That commitment should give every Tesla owner and prospective owner a full measure of confidence in the integrity of Tesla automobiles, now and in the future.

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Why Tesla’s Q4 performance could shock many after incredible Q3

There is still some residual impact to be felt as we enter Q4, and there is a potential shock coming to many investors as it could be stronger than what many think:

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla reported vehicle deliveries and energy deployments for the third quarter of 2025 today, blowing analyst estimations from Wall Street firms completely out of the water with its strongest three-month performance in company history.

The strong performance, which resulted in nearly half a million vehicle deliveries in the quarter, was largely driven by the momentum of the EV tax credit, which expired at the end of September, marking the end of the $7,500 discount that was previously available.

Tesla hits record vehicle deliveries and energy deployments in Q3 2025

This was a massive contributor to Tesla’s record-high in vehicle deliveries, as consumers rushed to take advantage of the credit.

There is still some residual impact to be felt as we enter Q4, and there is a potential shock coming to many investors as it could be stronger than what many think:

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EV Tax Credit Deliveries Will Continue Through Q4

Despite the credit’s expiration, people will still be able to take advantage of it because the IRS changed the rules mid-quarter.

Prospective buyers can utilize the credit after September 30 if they place an order for an EV and make a marginal payment on the car.

Tesla’s $250 order deposit qualified as the marginal payment, so as long as the order was submitted before the end of the day on September 30, they could still take delivery in Q4 or even Q1 and still take advantage of the credit.

Tesla set to win big after IRS adjusts EV tax credit rules

With the Model Y Performance launching in the U.S. on September 30, that undoubtedly contributed to some orders. However, there are likely many people who ordered in the latter portion of Q3 and have not yet taken delivery. These will all contribute to Q4 delivery figures.

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Seasonal Holiday Boost

Tesla traditionally has its strongest quarters in Q4, as the company typically introduces initiatives such as price cuts, incentives, and other offers to close out the year strong.

Car buyers are more likely to jump at these offers as well, as gifts for either themselves or others. What Tesla does in the final quarter of the year is usually boosted by whatever types of offers it can make.

Affordable Model Production Ramp

Tesla is likely preparing for the launch of its affordable model, which is essentially a stripped-down Model Y.

Some rumors have been circulating within the community, indicating that the company is nearing the sale of this vehicle, which is coded within Tesla’s website as the “Model Y Standard.”

If Tesla is able to lock in some good pricing on its affordable model, Tesla could see its quarterly figures return to QoQ growth, something that the company has not had in a few years.

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Tesla hits record vehicle deliveries and energy deployments in Q3 2025

As per Tesla’s Q3 2025 vehicle delivery and production report, the bulk of the company’s numbers came from its mass-market lineup.

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Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) reported record-breaking results for the third quarter of 2025, producing 447,450 vehicles and delivering 497,099 units worldwide. 

The company also deployed 12.5 GWh of energy storage products, setting a new record in its fast-growing energy business.

Model 3/Y domination

As per Tesla’s Q3 2025 vehicle delivery and production report, the bulk of the company’s numbers came from its mass-market lineup. The Model 3 sedan and Model Y crossover accounted for 435,826 units produced and 481,166 delivered in the quarter. This is quite impressive considering that both the Model 3 and Model Y are still premium-priced vehicles with numerous competitors that are significantly more affordable.

Other models, including the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck, contributed 11,624 vehicles produced and 15,933 delivered. Beyond vehicles, Tesla’s energy business posted its best quarter to date, deploying 12.5 GWh of storage systems.

Credit: Tesla

Q3 2025 earnings call date

Tesla’s third-quarter results are extremely impressive, and they exceed Wall Street’s estimates by a significant margin. As per Benchmark analyst Mickey Legg, who had a delivery estimate of 442,000 vehicles in Q3, Wall Street consensus was at 448,000 units. Even more optimistic analysts estimated that Tesla would only post deliveries in the mid-460,000s.

Investors will gain further insight later this month when Tesla reports full financials for the quarter. The company will release Q3 2025 earnings after market close on October 22, followed by a Q&A webcast at 4:30 p.m. Central Time.

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Elon Musk

Elon Musk is halfway towards becoming the world’s first trillionaire

Musk’s fortune remains heavily tied to Tesla, which has rallied nearly 100% since April.

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Credit: Tesla Manufacturing/X

Elon Musk has reached a new milestone by becoming the first individual in history to achieve a net worth of $500 billion. ForbesReal-Time Billionaires tracker confirmed the record Wednesday afternoon after Tesla stock gained nearly 4%, adding an estimated $9.3 billion to Musk’s net worth in a single day. 

He now sits more than $150 billion ahead of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, whose net worth also stands at a very impressive $350 billion.

Tesla stock leads wealth surge

Musk’s fortune remains heavily tied to Tesla, which has rallied nearly 100% since April, when the CEO announced he would step back from outside roles to focus more on the EV maker. The company’s market capitalization is back within 10% of its all-time peak, lifting the value of Musk’s 12% stake to about $191 billion. 

Beyond this, his 2018 compensation package, which was rescinded by a Delaware judge last year but is still under appeal, could unlock additional stock worth more than $130 billion if reinstated, Forbes noted. Investors see Musk’s refocused leadership as a stabilizing force for Tesla as it pursues ambitious global growth. Tesla has also proposed a new compensation plan for Musk that could bring the company’s market cap to $8.5 trillion and add an additional $900 billion to the CEO’s net worth. 

SpaceX and xAI boost portfolio value

While Tesla drives much of his wealth, Musk’s stakes in SpaceX and xAI have added significant upside to his net worth. SpaceX, his private rocket company, recently hit a $400 billion valuation in a private tender offer, valuing Musk’s 42% stake at $168 billion. Meanwhile, xAI Holdings, which merged with social platform X earlier this year, is worth an estimated $113 billion, giving Musk another $60 billion on paper. 

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These ventures, combined with Tesla’s resurgence, have pushed Musk’s net worth past the half-trillion-dollar mark and highlighted his reach across multiple industries, from clean energy to space, artificial intelligence, brain implants, and tunneling.

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