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August 06, 2018

Cyber Security Risks For Cars



When you're looking to buy a new car, you will usually do some research on your own and go to multiple dealers in order to get the best deal on the car you like. In most cases, you are likely to find the right car after checking prices at various dealerships, within a day or two. You take the car on a test drive and you will find that it's a pleasure to drive and there are a lot of high-tech and exciting features in the car. You want to know more about the gas mileage, repair needs and ways to use the latest features in the car. The salesperson will help you with all these questions.



You might think that's all that you need to know about the car but there is one extremely important thing that you have most likely not asked. You have missed it as it was not even an issue a few years ago but right now, it's extremely important for your safety. It’s cyber security.

Security System of Your Car

It is important for you to understand that the high-tech functions on today's cars make our lives more convenient but the same features also offer opportunities for hackers. In terms of cyber security, the digital security systems on today's cars can make your vehicle insecure. Perhaps, one of the easiest ways to hack a car is to access a car by remotely scanning a push-button locking system.

Car owners use a variety of methods to lock their car but all these methods require you to press the lock button on the keychain and walk away from the vehicle. The best way to avoid the possibility of a hacker accessing your car is to lock up your car with a physical key.

Some of the new models available in the market come with a keyless entry fob and that is another security vulnerability for hackers to exploit. Hackers can get access to the car by amplifying the signal from the fob making the car think that the fob is nearby even when it's not.

This allows the bad actors to get access to your car. They can get everything they want from inside the car and they can even drive your car away if your car has a remote starter. Some people may find it odd but keeping the fob in tinfoil or in a refrigerator keeps your car secure against such hacks.

Permissions for Computer Software

You should update the permissions of computer software to prevent any kind of unauthorized access to your car. It is also recommended to update the passwords regularly and keep them secure. Access to your car should be limited to only the people you trust and you should always keep it locked. In case a bad actor get access to your vehicle, they may install malware or accessible personal information.

Importance of Regular Software Updates

You also need to make sure that the car software is always up-to-date. To ensure that, you may ask the dealer or the vehicle manufacturer about updates. You should also check the website of the manufacturer as they usually post notices on the website about software updates. Keep your eyes open for any recalls initiated by the manufacturer, especially for cyber security and computer systems.

Do not download software from any third parties as it may contain malware if you did not download it from a secured and verified source. For installing updates, it is recommended to use a trusted USB device to avoid loading malware.

Locking up ODB

ODB stands for the on-board diagnostic system and it is the brain of your car or bike computer system according to Chopperexchange. It is used by technicians for checking the computer system of your car and for identifying problems.

This computer system records all the information related to your driving. It makes for an ideal entry point for bad actors as it’s the central access point and gives them access to all the information they may want about your vehicle. You can protect it by investing in an ODB lock to prevent access by criminals.

Many insurance companies typically connect dongles to the ODB system to record your driving habits. It is used to reward drivers for safe driving. It is important that you are careful when you attach any kind of device onto the ODB. These devices are also used by businesses for monitoring company vehicles.

Typically, these devices do not come with excellent security features which makes them sensitive to hacking. It is recommended to avoid these devices if you can but if it's necessary for you, make sure you get one from an operator or manufacturer that emphasizes security.

Keep Yourself Updated

Education is the most powerful defense against cyber-attacks on your vehicle. Greater knowledge will allow people to keep their vehicles safe from hackers. Some car makers such as Tesla and GM reward good hackers to report susceptibilities in their vehicles in order to fix the issues and also to alert the public.

In the automotive world, cyber security has emerged as a growing issue and as a car owner/buyer, you should also be concerned about it. If you do not care about it when you are buying and servicing your car, it might allow a hacker to break into your car and get your personal information or steal your car or take control of your vehicle.

Security measures as well as hacking methods will keep evolving as the connected vehicle technologies keep developing. Therefore, car owners should keep themselves abreast of the latest information about their vehicles and cyber security.

When you go to a dealer for buying a car and ask them about gas mileage, also ask them about security of your vehicle as it may be the only difference between you enjoying your latest buy and someone stealing it.



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