Technological advancements have filled our daily lives with convenience. And while these technologies are almost always designed for the greater good, there are undoubtedly ways that technology is abused, either intentionally or carelessly.
As cars get smarter, they are also becoming more and more vulnerable to cyberattacks. In this blog, we’ll cover a few of the potential IT concerns with smart cars, and explore possibilities for keeping their systems secure.
Remote Hacking
As these vehicles become smarter and more reliant on autonomous systems, hackers can inflict chaos by infiltrating these systems. For example, remote navigation, door locking systems, and even engines could be exposed by hackers, with possibly serious consequences.
This article from Bloomberg explores many of the ways smart cars can be targeted by hackers, as well as ideas on how to prevent the attacks.
Meanwhile, an interesting experiment was also conducted by Wired a few years back, during which a Jeep was remotely shut down by “hackers” during a drive on the highway. This experiment highlights just how deadly these attacks by hackers can be.
Insecure Apps & Downloads
As with any device that can download apps, users need to be extremely cautious of what they’re downloading. Many apps aren’t configured for the safety demands of smart vehicles, and as a result, those vehicles are uniquely vulnerable to certain types of malware.
An experiment conducted by Karpersky exposed many of the reasons smart cars are vulnerable to non-secure apps, but Hitachi Systems Security summarized it best when they wrote that the experiment highlighted issues such as certain apps having “little or no code obfuscation for door unlocking. They also found none of the apps encrypted username and password credentials.”
Downloading non-secure or malicious apps is like downloading a red carpet for hackers and cybercriminals to waltz in . Drivers of smart vehicles need to take extreme caution when downloading apps.The risks of smart cars don’t outweigh the benefits, but it is crucial to keep the dangerous in mind, and to prepare for them. As with any device, owners of smart cars need to take precautions and practice safe cyber habits.
Categorised in: Bugs, digital, Digital Age