Jonathan PrewittThe Cyber Threats Lurking Under the Hood: Navigating the Risks of Connected Cars
You’ve heard of the Internet of Things (IoT), right? You know, that vast, invisible web that connects everything from your fridge to your fitness tracker to the NSA’s daily watchlist of suspicious behaviors. Well, now we have the ultimate addition to the IoT circus: connected cars. Yes, we finally did it. We gave our cars Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS on steroids, and like everything else in the IoT world, it’s both a blessing and a curse. Mostly a curse, if we’re honest.
Connected cars are like that overachieving friend who just can’t help but do everything at once: drive you places, talk to other cars, order your groceries, maybe even update your Facebook status while you’re blissfully unaware that it’s spilling all your private data to the digital thieves lurking in the shadows. But hey, at least you didn’t miss that latest podcast episode, right?
Let’s dive into the absolutely hilarious world of cyber risks surrounding connected cars—because really, what could be more fun than knowing your brand-new, shiny vehicle is now just another computer waiting to be hacked?
The Anatomy of a Connected Car: A Hacker’s Delight
Before we get into the juicy details, let’s take a look under the hood—not at the engine, because who cares about that anymore? Let’s check out the real heart of your connected car: the computer systems, the miles of code, the endless potential for exploitation.
Connected cars are glorified gadgets on wheels. They come equipped with everything a modern hacker could dream of:
- Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications: So your car can chat with other cars and streetlights. Because why not?
- Infotainment systems connected to the internet: Now you can stream Netflix while driving into a ditch.
- Remote diagnostics and over-the-air software updates: No more visits to the dealership—unless, of course, a hacker intercepts that update and turns your car into a $40,000 brick.
- Embedded telematics systems: Yes, your car is now basically a stalker with GPS.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s super convenient to have all this connectivity. You can lock your car from your phone! But you know who else can unlock your car from your phone? A random guy in Russia who just bought your credentials off the dark web.
Key Cybersecurity Risks in Connected Cars: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Hack
So, let’s talk about what could go wrong. And I mean, really wrong. Because we’ve taken all the charm of mechanical failure and swapped it for digital vulnerability. Now, instead of worrying about your engine overheating, you can worry about ransomware holding your car hostage. Isn’t progress wonderful?
1. Remote Hacking: Who’s Really in the Driver’s Seat?
Remember the American SUV hack back in 2015? That wasn’t some outlandish Hollywood plot—it was real. Hackers took control of a car while it was on the road. They could turn the steering wheel, hit the brakes, and accelerate—all from a comfy location far away from the chaos they were causing.
Let me break this down for you: we’re talking about your car becoming the equivalent of a hacked computer, except instead of losing a few emails, you could lose your life. Fun, right?
Now, sure, manufacturers have “patched” those vulnerabilities. But let’s not kid ourselves. Patching a security hole is like putting a band-aid on a bursting dam. The hackers are always one step ahead. Next time, it won’t be a American SUV. It’ll be your luxury electric car veering off into traffic while you’re left wondering why your Spotify playlist suddenly included a Russian techno remix.
2. Data Privacy: My Car Knows More About Me Than My Therapist
Here’s a fun fact: your connected car collects data on you. Not just where you go, but how fast you drive, how aggressively you brake, and whether you make a pit stop for tacos every Tuesday at 6 PM. Sure, it’s all in the name of improving your driving experience, but let’s be real—this is basically surveillance on wheels.
So what happens when all that lovely personal data gets hacked? Well, for starters, cybercriminals could learn enough about you to either steal your identity or sell it to the highest bidder. And you thought it was bad when Google tracked your every search. Now your car’s in on the game too.
Oh, and don’t think the manufacturers are innocent here. They’re harvesting that data as well. “For research purposes,” they claim. Right. Because knowing how often I stop for gas is critical to advancing automotive technology.
3. Ransomware: Because Kidnapping Your Data Isn’t Enough
Let’s say one day you hop in your car, “eager” to head to work, only to be greeted by a charming little message on your dashboard: “Pay $500 in Dogecoin or lose access to your vehicle.” Congratulations, you’ve just been hit by vehicular ransomware (did I just coin a new phrase?).
You’ve heard of ransomware hitting hospitals, schools, and city governments, but now it’s moving to the private sector—specifically, the private sector on four wheels. Hackers can encrypt your car’s systems, locking you out until you cough up a ransom. It’s the digital age’s version of grand theft auto, but without the cool car chases and respawn ability.
And, if you think you can outsmart the hacker, think again. Modern ransomware is as crafty as it is relentless. Your only option might just be to pay up—because what’s a few hundred dollars when you’ve already spent thousands on a car that can’t even drive itself out of a hack?
4. Autonomous Driving Systems: When Your Car Decides to Freelance for Hackers
We’re on the verge of the autonomous vehicle revolution, and doesn’t that sound lovely? Just sit back, relax, and let your car do all the driving while you… panic that some hacker might be steering you into oncoming traffic.
Autonomous driving systems are an incredible leap forward in technology. I admittedly enjoy using it in my own vehicle. But the more we rely on these systems, the more attractive they become to cybercriminals. If hackers can get into the system, they could literally control your car’s steering, brakes, and acceleration. I wonder if its as cool as it sounds?
Sure, there are safeguards in place. But let’s be honest, the Titanic had safeguards too, and we all know how that ended. And with AI driving the ship—excuse me, the car—it’s not just hacking we have to worry about. AI glitches are the stuff of nightmares. Imagine your car deciding, in all its machine wisdom, that the fastest route to your destination involves a quick detour into a brick wall.
5. Insecure Mobile Apps: There’s an App for That (And a Hacker Waiting to Exploit It)
We’ve entered an age where we control our cars with smartphone apps. You can unlock the doors, start the engine, and even call your car to you—all from your phone. It’s all very James Bond, except for the part where the app probably has worse security than a 1990s AOL account.
Car manufacturers love to brag about their companion apps, but many of them have glaring security flaws. If your app is compromised, hackers can gain access to your car. That means they can not only steal your vehicle without even being in the same zip code, but they can also track your every movement.
It’s not hard to imagine the implications of that. A hacker could follow you to your favorite coffee shop, unlock your car, and be gone before you even realize that your pumpkin spice latte is the least of your worries.
What Are the Manufacturers Doing? Not Enough, Honestly.
So, what are automakers doing to combat these cyber risks? Well, they’re trying, but let’s just say it’s like watching a tortoise race a Ferrari—it’s not going well.
Manufacturers have started using encryption, beefing up security protocols, and pushing over-the-air (OTA) updates to patch vulnerabilities. But for every fix, a hacker is already cooking up a new way to exploit the system. It’s a never-ending game of digital Whack-a-Mole, and we’re the ones stuck paying for it.
Oh, and let’s not forget the delightful little fact that many car companies aren’t really in the business of cybersecurity. They’re car manufacturers, not security experts. So while they’re doing their best to keep up, it’s like asking a chef to perform open-heart surgery. Sure, they’ve got knives, but do you really trust them with your life?
The Government’s Role: Regulations That Might Actually Help… Someday
The good news is that some governments are starting to realize that maybe—just maybe—it’s a bad idea for our cars to be this hackable. Regulations are cropping up, like the UNECE’s WP.29 cybersecurity standards in the EU and California’s IoT Security Law. These are designed to hold manufacturers accountable and force them to take cybersecurity seriously.
But let’s not get too excited. These regulations are rolling out slowly, and they mostly apply to new cars. So if you’ve got a model that’s a couple of years old, congratulations—you’re still on your own.
The real kicker? By the time these regulations are fully in place, hackers will probably have moved on to something even scarier, like hacking our brains. (But let’s save that existential crisis for when I have writer’s block.)
What Can You Do? The Bare Minimum to Feel Safe-ish
Limit the Data You Share
Here’s a radical idea: Don’t let your car collect every single scrap of information about your life. Most connected cars have settings that allow you to adjust the data collection preferences. Turn off anything that doesn’t directly contribute to the driving experience. Do you really need your car to track how often you call your mom? Probably not.
Limit the permissions on any apps that interact with your car. Sure, it’s convenient for your car to sync with your calendar and contacts, but the fewer connections you have between your vehicle and your personal data, the better. Keep things in data buckets, or as I like to call it, “compartmentalized paranoia”—a healthy level of fear that keeps your data safe from prying eyes.
Go Analog (When You Can)
If you’ve got the option to lock your car manually, use it. Sometimes the oldest tricks in the book are the safest. If all else fails, and you’re really feeling nostalgic for a simpler time, maybe it’s time to revisit the good ol’ days of basic, unconnected vehicles. Sure, you won’t be able to warm your seat with your phone, but you’ll also have fewer nightmares about hackers rerouting your morning commute straight into the nearest lake.
And let’s be real: If your primary concern is hackers taking control of your vehicle, maybe all those high-tech bells and whistles aren’t quite worth it. Maybe a good old-fashioned key and a strong chain lock is the real solution to modern car hacking—though I doubt that’s quite the sales pitch manufacturers going for.
Regular Security Audits
Okay, so this one’s a bit trickier, but worth mentioning. Some car manufacturers and third-party services are now offering security audits for your car’s software. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t even trust their toaster, this might be something to consider. A professional audit will identify any vulnerabilities in your car’s systems and might help prevent a future hack.
Why Should You Care? It’s Not Just About Driving Anymore
So, you might be wondering—why should you even care about this? It’s just a car, right? Wrong. In the age of connected everything, your car is no longer just a means of transportation. It’s an extension of your digital life, and that means the risks go far beyond what you’re used to with a traditional vehicle.
Here’s the reality: In the grand scheme of cybersecurity, your car is just one more device in a sea of devices that are all constantly being targeted by hackers. But here’s the fun twist—your car can kill you. That’s not something you can say about your smartphone, no matter how many times you drop it on your face while lying in bed.
We’re living in a world where cars can steer themselves, brake on their own, and be controlled remotely. That’s a lot of responsibility to hand over to technology, and by extension, to the hackers who inevitably find their way into these systems. One moment, you’re enjoying the comfort of autonomous driving, and the next, your car’s steering you off a cliff because someone halfway around the world thinks it’s funny. Delightful.
Let’s put it this way: If you wouldn’t let a stranger control your computer or access your bank account, why on earth would you be okay with someone potentially hijacking your car?
Where Do We Go From Here? Future-Proofing Your Ride
Let’s assume you want to keep your shiny new connected car. What does the future look like? Are we destined to forever live in fear that our vehicles are ticking time bombs of cyber vulnerability?
Maybe. But there’s hope—sort of. Let’s take a peek into what could (and should) happen in the near future.
Automakers Get Smarter (We Hope)
If there’s one thing that keeps automakers up at night, it’s the fear of being outed as the company responsible for the next big car hack scandal. As more incidents of cyber breaches come to light, car manufacturers are slowly starting to prioritize cybersecurity as part of their development process. The key word here is “slowly.”
That means more stringent testing, better encryption, and ideally, a move toward designing cars that aren’t quite so easy to exploit. Some companies are even hiring cybersecurity experts to test their systems—essentially inviting the hackers in before someone else does.
But let’s not pretend like this will be a quick fix. Automakers are notoriously bad at adapting to new tech risks. They’re great at making cars fast and comfortable, but when it comes to the backend systems? Well, let’s just say your average software update on a connected car is about as reliable as Windows 98.
The Rise of Automotive Security Firms
As the threat landscape evolves, we’ll likely see a surge in specialized cybersecurity firms focused solely on vehicles. These companies will audit your car’s software, install additional layers of protection, and monitor for suspicious activity. Think of them as the anti-virus software of the automotive world—except they might cost you an arm and a leg for services that should have been built into the car in the first place.
The catch? As with all things cybersecurity, these firms can’t guarantee 100% protection. They can’t stop new vulnerabilities from cropping up or prevent hackers from finding creative new ways to mess with your car. But hey, at least they’re trying, right?
Government Mandates: The Car Version of the GDPR?
If you’ve spent any time online, you know that data protection is a hot topic, and the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) has turned the world of online privacy upside down. Don’t be surprised if something similar happens with connected cars.
In fact, some countries are already taking steps to create regulations that force automakers to beef up security measures. The UNECE’s WP.29 framework, for instance, sets out cybersecurity standards for connected vehicles. It’s a good start, but like all things government-related, it’s happening at the speed of molasses.
Still, it’s nice to know that the powers that be are starting to recognize that connected cars need more than just airbags and seatbelts to keep us safe. They need digital fortresses.
AI-Driven Security: Let the Machines Protect Us (What Could Go Wrong?)
As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in every corner of our lives, expect to see AI-driven security solutions popping up in cars. This sounds like a good idea—until you remember that AI itself can be hacked. Nothing like having one machine battle another machine for control over your steering wheel, right?
But if you trust AI to drive your car, why not let it handle your car’s security too? After all, an AI can potentially detect anomalies in real-time, stopping hackers before they take control. Of course, there’s always the chance that the AI will mistake your attempt to merge lanes for a cyber attack and lock you out of your own car, but hey, nobody said the future was going to be perfect.
Final Thoughts: Drive Safe (But Less Connected)
So, where does this leave us? On the one hand, we’re living in a golden age of automotive technology, where our cars are smarter, more efficient, and more convenient than ever before. On the other hand, we’re also one step away from living in a dystopian nightmare where hackers control our vehicles, hold our data hostage, and maybe even crash us into a ditch just for fun.
The truth is, connected cars are here to stay. But with great connectivity comes great responsibility—and even greater cyber risks. It’s up to us, the drivers, to demand better security from automakers, to be vigilant about our own data, and to be aware that the dangers of the digital world now extend far beyond our laptops and smartphones.
So the next time you’re cruising down the highway in your state-of-the-art connected car, enjoying the ease of hands-free driving and automated everything, remember: somewhere out there, a hacker might be enjoying the ride just as much as you are.
Happy driving. And good luck.
Jonathan Prewitt