Up to now, the threat of computer viruses was primarily the loss of computer workstations and their data. The stakes have suddenly become much higher:

Lexus cars may be vulnerable to viruses that infect them via mobile phones. Landcruiser 100 models LX470 and LS430 have been discovered with infected operating systems that transfer within a range of 15 feet.

"If infected mobile devices are scary, just thinking about an infected onboard computer..," said Eugene Kaspersky, head of anti-virus research at Russian firm Kaspersky. "We do know that car manufacturers are integrating existing operating systems into their onboard computers (take the Fiat and Microsoft deal, for instance)."

It is understood the virus could affect the navigation system of the Lexus models, it transfers onto them via a Bluetooth mobile phone connection. It is still unclear whether the cars in question use the Symbian operating system which has recently been under attack from various worms and viruses.

Remember how the Y2K bug was going to render all our automobiles immoble? I laughed at that silly idea, but this one is actually plausible. A potential virus host requires two things: an operating system understood by the virus and a method of transmission. Obviously, there is no floppy disk drive in a Lexus, but it appears that they have implemented Bluetooth for diagnostic purposes.

This is a fascinating development, both in the computer world and in the courtrooms. Once a virus injures or kills a person, coding them will become a much more serious crime. (As if causing billions of dollars of damage is not already serious enough!)

This post is (fittingly) part of today's Beltway Traffic Jam. Go check out the rest of the clunkers!