Technology has shaped the future of civilization. Tasks that seemed impossible to complete with the human touch are now efficiently carried out by machines. The technological wave took the world by storm and the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) upped the scales.
The automotive industry was no exception as advancements seemed like a need of time and helped enhance safety and performance in cars. Speaking of technological advancements in the automobile industry, the smart car holds a top position in the list.
What are Smart Cars?
Smart cars, often referred to as intelligent cars, are a shining example of modern technology’s collaboration with automobiles. There was a time when features introduced in vehicles such as amphibious cars were a big thing – technology has taken a big leap from there.
Contemporary vehicles come with modern car technology, hitherto unknown to humankind. Nowadays, with a smart car, you have the advantage to put it into auto-drive mode such as the Tesla autopilot feature among others. Additionally, a smart car equipped with an AI system tends to take some load from the driver. The driver can focus on steering the vehicle while the vehicle keeps check of the surroundings.
Some other unique features of the smart car include the following:
- Gesture and voice control to help activate several functions of the car
- Driver drowsiness detection to help keep tired drivers awake and active
- Wireless smartphone syncing and charging to bring your phone’s interface to the car’s screen
- 360 cameras to help you efficiently park and keep track of the surroundings
- HUD display which displays information on an independent screen to keep the driver focused on driving
- Adaptive cruise control which automatically handles braking and acceleration
These are some of the features available in a smart car. We can expect to see more advancements in the years to come.
Can a Smart Car get Hacked?
One of the major drawbacks of technology is increased vulnerability to theft and misuse. Several cases of smart car hacking have emerged. While modern features add to the comfort and safety of vehicles, your private data also gets logged into the car’s system.
The smart car is an Internet of Things (IoT) device. Besides giving you access to multiple functions via your smartphone or other gadgets, it also stores your personal data.
The synchronisation of your phone with the smart car’s system makes room for the data to be available on the internet. Your data can be accessed and misused in the wrong hands. Similarly, hackers can gain access to your vehicle’s system – preventing you from accessing certain features.
Additionally, the evolution of car keys has seen mobile apps and smart keys replace traditional ones. This also makes your car vulnerable to access by unwanted individuals. Other ways hackers can manipulate technology in smart cars are by installing malware, shutting the system down, and enabling opposite responses to the driver’s commands.
All in all, your smart car is vulnerable to such threats as compared to its traditional counterparts. That said, most of these threats are the results of negligence or the use of unknown sources. With proper precautions and measures, you are less likely to encounter any such issue with your smart car.
Measures to Prevent Your Smart Car from Being Hacked
Vehicles have evolved from petrol to electric cars and smart features are introduced every now and then. While there’s no denying the increased vulnerability of smart cars to misuse, some measures can help you trim down the risks and prevent smart car hacking.
Listed below are some tips that can help keep your data safe and from falling into the wrong hands:
KEEP YOUR CAR’S FIRMWARE UPDATED
The ‘never miss an update’ rule should also be applied to your smart car for added safety. Car manufacturers are always on the lookout for ways to improve the vehicle’s cybersecurity. These updates come with added initiatives to keep viruses and malware at bay.
Additionally, the updates can also help you keep up to date with vehicle recalls, software patches, and the latest announcements from the manufacturers.
TURN OFF UNUSED SERVICES
Another measure to keep your smart car safe from a breach is to turn off unused applications and services. The apps and ports available in your car that are not in use should be turned off. For instance, if you don’t use your car’s Bluetooth, it is advised to turn it off to decrease your vehicle’s exposure to hacks.
AVOID UNAUTHORISED APPLICATIONS
The use of unauthorised apps makes your vehicle more vulnerable to hacking. Manufacturer and approved apps ensure data privacy and user safety. Unauthorised apps on the other hand can come without any certain claims. It is advised to only use company-approved and official apps for a secure experience.
REPORT PROBLEMS PROMPTLY
If you feel any of the smart features malfunction, it could be because of a breach. Like other common car issues, this should be reported promptly. Take your smart car to the authorised dealer and get it checked. Immediate response can help fix existing problems and prevent further damage.
DEACTIVATE PREVIOUS OWNER’S ACCESS
There are several reasons for buying a used car but with smart cars, you should be cautious of one thing. When you’ve purchased a smart car, be sure to remove the previous owner’s access. The previous owner’s credentials may still be logged into the system – giving him access to the vehicle. Remove the previous access at the earliest to avoid any trouble.
Similarly, when selling your vehicle, it is equally important to erase your data from the car to avoid misuse.
USE A TRUSTED SERVICE
You should be mindful of who gains access to your smart vehicle. Your car’s smart system can be misused if an unauthorised person gets a hold of it. It is strongly recommended that you only use licenced and approved service stations for all sorts of repairs. Additionally, there are some tips to help choose the best car repair shops which can come in handy.
This was everything about smart cars and their vulnerability to being hacked. Technology has reached unprecedented heights and the auto industry has gone with the flow. With numerous features available and many more to come, manufacturers will surely look for ways to make the smart system more secure. Additionally, check out some more car hacking prevention methods to learn more ways of securing your vehicle.
If you are a fan of advanced technology-driven vehicles and want to add a smart car to your collection, check out these used cars for sale in the UAE and have your pick. People who prefer the traditional type can also find a wide variety of petrol and electric cars listed.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information about smart cars and features.
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