Smart Cars and Cybersecurity How does vehicle hacking affect driver safety?
The evolution of cars has changed the way we drive and interact with them. However, this evolution is linked to concerns about cybersecurity. As smart cars continue to evolve and incorporate more modern technologies, the risk of cyber attacks grows dramatically.
Imagine you're driving down the highway, enjoying the advanced features of your smart car's navigation system or self-driving system , and then you discover that a hacker has hacked your car's system. This idea sounds scary, but it has become very possible now.
Common Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Smart Cars:
Here are the top potential vulnerabilities in smart vehicles that could lead to cyber attacks:
1- Unsecured networks:
Modern smart vehicles use different wireless communication networks, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and these networks can be entry points for hackers if they are not secure. Unsecured networks can allow cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to your vehicle’s systems, leading to potential data breaches or taking control of certain vehicle functions.
2- Weaknesses in the programs:
Like any digital device, the software built into your car can have vulnerabilities, such as bugs or missing security updates, and cyber attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to introduce malware into the car's system or take control of the system.
3- Insufficient data protection:
Your smart car collects a lot of data, such as personal information and driving habits. If this data is not adequately protected with strong encryption and secure storage solutions, it can be accessed and misused by malicious parties.
4- Lack of unified security protocols:
Currently, there are no uniform security protocols across different smart car manufacturers, and this lack of uniform protocols could lead to inconsistencies and gaps in security measures, making some vehicles more vulnerable to cyber threats than others.
5- Keyless remote entry systems:
While keyless entry systems offer a high level of convenience to the driver, they can also be exploited; cybercriminals can use signal jamming attacks to intercept the communication between your key and the vehicle, allowing unauthorized access to the vehicle’s systems.
Real-world examples of smart car breakthroughs:
- In 2015 , hackers remotely hacked into a Jeep SUV while it was driving on the highway, turning on the windshield wipers, radio, and turning off the engine to bring the vehicle to a complete stop, due to a security flaw in the vehicle's system.
- According to a 2019 report from CNBC , two white-hat security researchers extracted personal data from a crashed Tesla Model 3. This included data on cell phones and tablets that had connected to the car wirelessly more than 170 times, as well as call logs, email information, and more.
On the other hand, the 2021 Global Automotive Cybersecurity Report from cybersecurity firm Upstream Security noted that over-the-air (OTA) updates that aim to improve vehicle performance include potential entry points for cyber attackers.
How can cyber attacks on vehicles affect driver safety?
Imagine you’re driving on the highway and suddenly your engine stalls or your steering system goes out of control. This isn’t science fiction—it’s a real-life scenario that could happen as a result of a cyberattack. Modern vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving features are particularly vulnerable to these dangers.
One of the significant effects of cyber attacks on vehicles is the potential loss of control; hackers can exploit vulnerabilities to take control of important functions such as steering and brakes. This type of takeover poses a direct threat to both the driver and other road users.
There are also attacks that can compromise your GPS navigation system. When navigating through unfamiliar areas, you rely primarily on GPS for directions. A hacker can manipulate GPS data to mislead you, potentially leading you to dangerous or isolated locations.
Another concern is remote vehicle disabling. With the hack, attackers could disable your car's engine or electrical systems, leaving you unable to drive or control the vehicle.
Another risk is related to the personal data your car collects, such as destinations, driving habits, and information from devices connected to the car system, such as phones and tablets. A hack could lead to the theft of sensitive information, leading to identity theft or other personal security risks.
Tips to protect your smart car system:
Here are some tips to help you protect your smart car system to reduce the chance of it being hacked:
- Update software to help protect against new vulnerabilities and threats that emerge over time.
- Use strong, unique passwords for services connected to your vehicle system to help protect against unauthorized access to your vehicle system.
- Exchange information about threats and vulnerabilities with other motorists and manufacturers, to help improve overall automotive cybersecurity.