The latest advancements in the automotive industry have blessed us with technological marvels in recent years. Not long after these innovations, a security research team in St. Louis revealed through an experiment in 2015, how modern vehicles and especially those with Electronic Control Units (ECU) are susceptible to hijacks and car hacking.
Advanced automotive features like ECU help control the steering, brakes, engine, entertainment system even navigation. As much as it makes driving a more enjoyable and comfortable experience, it is a possible threat with potential viruses, bugs, malware and automotive hacking if you haven’t prepared for prevention from car hacking.
If you own a car programmed with auto brakes, adaptive cruise control and lane assist, you may want to learn about automotive cybersecurity and car hacking prevention since Electric Vehicles (EVs) and self-driving cars are at a higher risk. Hackers can track down the software, communication systems and even hardware controls in vehicles by several overlooked means. We have compiled some of the potential ways your car can be hacked and how to prevent it.
WAYS CAR HACKING IS POSSIBLE
Hijacking a car’s electrical system is as conceivable as any other cyber-attack through smartphones and the Internet. Without any physical contact with a car, hackers can access the steering, brakes, transmission and even the music system. This could be even more dangerous when you’re inside your car and a sudden engine halt occurs.
Here’s a list of automotive features exposed to cybersecurity threats and 10 potential ways to hack a car:
KEYLESS REMOTE
Most modern vehicles come keyless and key fob attack is the most common form of car hacking.
Keyless remotes are used to control your vehicle’s windows, alarm, door locks and to start its engine. The key fob controls these car functions within a range of 5 to 20 metres.
Think of how robbers used key impressions to break into a house back in the day when homes were not equipped with burglar alarms. Likewise, hackers can get control of your car using the signals from your keyless remote. The encrypted radio signal can be cloned into a counterfeit key. To prevent such attacks, it is advisable to keep the remote control away from your car’s radius.
SMARTPHONE ACCESS
Hackers can also get their hands on your phone and any other data integrated into the system such as passwords, driving patterns, photos, banking codes and pins and credit card information through an automotive cyber attack. They can exploit apps to break into the personal details of the car owner that can also result in a much bigger theft.
HACKING THE USB PORT
Another way your car can be hacked is through different car parts like USB data ports and trackers. Vehicles are at risk of a possible attack via malicious USBs and other inputs like infotainment systems. Once an infected device is connected, hackers can install malware and leverage other devices integrated with the vehicle including your phone.
TELEMATICS
Car manufacturers have identified the possible threats and, thus, advanced security systems are incorporated into modern automobiles. However, any loophole or flaw in GPS tracking application and telematics navigation can lead to remote hijacks. This could allow hackers to send false weather information and navigation or immobilise connected cars or directly stop the engine from functioning.
TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
Cyber-attackers can also mess with your tyre pressure monitoring system and send wrong signals. An integrated pressure monitoring system is used to indicate when the tyres are too low or too high on pressure. This type of car hacking can confuse the driver and expose them to possible thefts. Besides, the attackers can monitor and track vehicles remotely through a malfunctioned system.
MP3 Malware
This may come as a surprise that a completely harmless feature like your car’s entertainment system or radio can be a possible threat if you’re unaware of anti-car hacking tips. Downloads with malware codes and corrupt files on the internet can make way through the infotainment systems to other automobile features including engine controls and brakes.
DISABLING BRAKES
Another scary prospect is having your car suddenly stopped. If hackers break into the microprocessors in the onboard car computer, they can disable your brakes, take over the steering and even break the engine.
PHISHING MESSAGES
Cyber attackers can access your car through its Wi-Fi. They can spam and send malicious links to your email and into your phone connected to the car’s WiFi.
OBD II DONGLES
Those learning about car hacking prevention must also look into the potential risk associated with OBD II Dongles. Onboard Diagnostics II dongles are used to keep a track of how the car is being driven. The dongles are generally used by insurance companies and other similar authorities. Hackers can intrude the system through the dongle via car Bluetooth.
AC, RADIO and WINDSHIELD WIPERS
Car hacking methods have gone far and wide cracking any code possible to get into the automobile controls and system. The most common car parts and features like air-conditioning, windshield wipers and radios are also at risk. Hackers may do this to distract the driver trying to implement a bigger attack while distraction, when you’re driving, can also be life-threatening.
When attackers gain access to a car radio, you won’t be able to turn it up or down or use any of the controls. Likewise, the driver can be intimidated by the sudden activation of wipers and washer fluids. Hackers can also take control of the car’s ventilation and heaters and even seat warmers.
WAYS TO PREVENT CAR FROM BEING HACKED
With technological advancements in the automotive industry, also comes great responsibility for the security systems and car owners to learn ways to combat car hacking. The potential risks of automotive attacks can be life-threatening if you’re unaware of anti-car hacking tips. To prevent unwanted access and control over your vehicle and personal information, here are some powerful tips to avoid car hacking.
KEEPING THE SYSTEM UPDATED
Keep in touch with your car manufacturers and check on important updates to sort out possible vulnerabilities. Enable auto-updates so the software and internal system are as safe as possible.
KEEPING ALL PASSWORDS AND PIN CODES SAFE
Enable verifications for the integrated system and keep passwords out of your vehicle. If a car thief finds your pin codes, your accounts can be compromised. Likewise, the OnStar feature that allows you to halt the engine of a stolen car will be rendered useless if the attackers disable the account.
DISABLING SMARTPHONE ACCESS
If your phone is connected to your car, hackers can easily tap into your personal information and any other data uploaded on the system including passwords, credit card pin codes and banking information. Besides, hide your car’s WiFi pin to avoid unauthorized access in public places. It is always recommended to switch off the WiFi and Bluetooth between uses as these are the easiest ways to hack a car.
BEWARE OF MALWARE & THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE
Only install apps and tools as approved by the manufacturer to prevent a compromised system.
BLOCKING UNAUTHORISED COMMUNICATION
Install an embedded firewall to block any attack via malicious codes and unauthorized communication. Like any antivirus, malware protection software and a firewall in a computer system, it will filter all unauthorized V2V (vehicle to vehicle) and V2X (vehicle to everything) communications.
KEEPING HOME ADDRESS AND OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION PRIVATE
One of the best practices to avoid possible theft and attack is keeping your identity safe. Do not input your home address into the GPS.
Just the idea of cyber-attacks is enough to stress you out. With more and more advancements and innovations in the automobile industry, there’s a greater need to ensure cyber security when buying used cars in the UAE.
However, there are only a few car hacking cases reported around the world and car manufacturers are constantly working to minimize the threat. Besides, some practices to avoid car hacking and prevention can work wonders. Switch off the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use, don’t plug in malfunctioned USBs or other devices and keep the key fob at a safe distance to secure your car from being hacked.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blogs for more information about auto parts repair and maintenance guides, traffic laws and more.
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