Regular but AMAZING Car Hacks and How to Keep Your Vehicle Safe

Regular Car Hacks and How to Keep Your Vehicle Safe

In today's digital age, many Americans worry about hackers accessing their bank accounts, computer files and personal information. But as cars become more technologically advanced, securing a car may soon require more than just securing a stick to the steering wheel.

Few things are scarier than the thought of a malicious hacker taking control of your vehicle and causing harm to you and your passengers. Automotive security experts have studied how hackers could do everything from tweak your car stereo to make your brakes stop working properly. The Center for Automotive Embedded Systems Security (CAESS) is a collaboration between researchers at the University of Washington and the University of California, San Diego, working to make future embedded systems in cars more secure and private.

"You have to stay ahead of what these guys can do," says Rich Strader, director of security and IT strategy at Ford.

Here are some of the potential car hacks and how automakers are addressing the issues.


Car door locks:
On many vehicles, the door locks are connected to other systems in the vehicle. For example, the doors can be locked when the car is shifted into gear. Hypothetically, this could mean that a hack of the car door locks could affect braking and acceleration. However, vehicle manufacturers usually ensure that it is a one-way connection to eliminate this possibility.

Software and apps:
There are many third-party apps and software that car manufacturers use to enhance their features and offerings. Infotainment features are a good example. However, most manufacturers, including Ford and Toyota, are very selective about which apps they allow in their vehicles. GM, for example, runs its software through remote servers to eliminate the possibility of drivers loading infected software into their cars.

Telematics system:
OnStar is an example of a telematics system that alerts authorities in the event of an accident, car theft or other emergency. Researchers have investigated the possibility of hackers disabling a car's ignition through such systems. However, this is a very complicated technical process that car manufacturers have already begun to secure more thoroughly. OnStar, for example, uses a list of computers that are specifically authorised to connect to cars.