Your Car is a Computer on Wheels: Understanding and Preventing Cyberattacks
The convenience of modern vehicles is undeniable. We can start our cars from our smartphones, get real-time traffic updates on a dashboard screen, and rely on advanced systems to help us park and avoid collisions. Our cars are smarter and more connected than ever before. But with this incredible convenience comes a new, often-overlooked risk: cybersecurity.
Today’s vehicles are essentially computers on wheels, running on millions of lines of code and equipped with numerous wireless connection points. This technological leap has inadvertently created new doorways for malicious actors, making vehicle cybersecurity a critical concern for every driver.
Key Attack Vectors: How Your Car Can Be Compromised
Understanding the vulnerabilities is the first step toward protecting yourself. Hackers have several potential entry points they can exploit to gain access to a vehicle’s systems.
The On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) Port: This is the port mechanics use to diagnose engine trouble. However, if a hacker plugs in a malicious device—or if you plug in a third-party dongle for insurance or performance tracking that has weak security—they can gain direct access to the vehicle’s internal network. From there, they could potentially send commands to critical systems.
The Infotainment System: Your car’s touchscreen for navigation, music, and calls is a prime target. Vulnerabilities in the infotainment system’s software, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi connections can be exploited to pivot into more critical vehicle networks, such as those controlling steering or brakes. Connecting your phone to a compromised public Wi-Fi network and then to your car could create an indirect path for an attack.
Wireless and Cellular Connections: Modern cars are constantly communicating. This includes signals from your key fob, built-in cellular (telematics) systems for emergency services, and even tire pressure monitoring sensors. Hackers can use sophisticated tools to perform “relay attacks,” where they capture and amplify your key fob’s signal to unlock and steal your car without the physical key.
The Mobile App Connection: The smartphone app that lets you lock, unlock, or remote-start your vehicle is another potential weak point. If your app account is compromised through a phishing attack or a weak password, a criminal could gain control over these functions from anywhere in the world.
Sensors for Driver-Assistance Systems: Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) rely on cameras, radar, and LiDAR to function. Researchers have demonstrated that these sensors can be tricked or “spoofed.” For example, a malicious actor could use specialized equipment to project false images or signals, potentially causing an autonomous emergency braking system to engage unnecessarily or a lane-keeping system to swerve.
The Real-World Consequences of a Cyberattack
The impact of a vehicle hack ranges from inconvenient to life-threatening. The potential risks include:
- Theft of Personal Data: Hackers can access sensitive information stored in your car, such as your contact list, call history, and location data from your navigation system.
- Vehicle Theft: By exploiting key fob or mobile app vulnerabilities, criminals can steal a vehicle without ever breaking a window.
- Remote Control of Vehicle Functions: This is the most frightening scenario. A successful cyberattack could allow a remote attacker to disable the brakes, manipulate the steering, or suddenly accelerate the vehicle, putting the driver, passengers, and others on the road in extreme danger.
How to Protect Your Connected Car: Actionable Security Tips
While automotive manufacturers are working to build more secure vehicles, drivers have a crucial role to play in their own safety. You can significantly reduce your risk by adopting these security-conscious habits.
Keep Your Vehicle’s Software Updated: Just like your computer or smartphone, your car receives software updates from the manufacturer. These updates often contain critical security patches. Enable automatic updates if possible, or accept them promptly when notified.
Be Cautious with Third-Party Devices: Think twice before plugging any unknown or non-vetted device into your car’s OBD-II port. Cheap diagnostic dongles found online may have poor security, creating a backdoor into your vehicle’s network.
Secure Your Wireless Connections: When you’re not using them, turn off your car’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth services. For your key fob, consider storing it in a Faraday pouch or signal-blocking container at home to prevent relay attacks.
Practice Good Password Hygiene: Use a strong, unique password for your car’s mobile app and enable two-factor authentication if it is offered. Avoid using the same password that you use for other online accounts.
Vet Your Repair Shop: Ensure your mechanic uses trusted, authentic diagnostic tools. Counterfeit tools could potentially load malicious software onto your vehicle.
As vehicles become more integrated with our digital lives, awareness remains our most powerful defense. By understanding the risks and taking proactive steps, you can enjoy the incredible technology of your modern car with greater peace of mind.
Source: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/09/05/connected-cars-cybersecurity-risk/
