Ways Hackers Can Take Control of Your Car

Children Using Digital Devices On Car Journey

Smart cars pose the greatest risk

“Cars that are at risk of hacking tend to be smart vehicles that are connected to the Internet,” Walsh explains. “However, it is also possible for attackers to connect physically to a car’s systems either via the dashboard or via some other means to start tampering with its settings and features.” And this isn’t a risk that’s going away anytime soon. “By 2020, it is predicted that around 250 million cars will be connected to the Internet in order to provide onboard entertainment,” he says.

So, what are the potential risks, exactly? Our experts outline them below.

Man hand holding the car remote, he push the remote control to open the car door

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Hacker threat #1: Overriding the car’s keyless entry

Cars with keyless entry systems are the most likely to fall victim to this type of attack. “This is because radio transmitters are being sold online that give criminals the ability to spoof keyless systems to gain entry to cars and start them up,” Walsh explains. “So far, at least 110 cars from 27 manufacturers have been revealed to be at risk of this kind of hacking.” And if a criminal can hack your keyless entry system, they can easily enter your car and drive away. It’s the sneaky way thieves are targeting your car-key fob.

Cyber Security, reflection in spectacles of access information being scanned on computer screen, close up of face

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Hacker threat #2: Identity theft

“By tapping into your connected car, due to software vulnerabilities, cybercriminals can potentially steal and sell personal information,” Lysemose explains. Any information you have uploaded into your car’s system, or your car’s app on your phone, is potentially at risk.

“Beyond this,” Lysemose continues, “apps for connected cars can also be used by previous owners to bring up all kinds of information about [the car’s] current owner. Drivers of cars from BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, and Mercedes-Benz have reported that previous owners retain unrestricted access to the data and controls of connected cars after resale. It’s also widely documented that rental-car companies routinely fail to delete personally identifiable information that car-hire customers…

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