The smarter our vehicles become, the more vulnerable they'll be to hacking such as the regular attacks we've constantly been warned about before on our computers and smartphones.
Now the government has released it's own public service announcement, too. In a joint effort among the FBI, the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the public is officially being warned of the real dangers of remote exploits of cars on American streets.
In their PSA, they point out that while today's vehicles have greatly benefited from an infusion of modern technologies that have provided improved safety, fuel economy and convenience, there's a downside despite all the good.
"With this increased connectivity, it is important that consumers and manufacturers maintain awareness of potential cyber security threats ... The FBI and NHTSA are warning the general public and manufacturers – of vehicles, vehicle components, and aftermarket devices – to maintain awareness of potential issues and cybersecurity threats related to connected vehicle technologies in modern vehicles," the joint PSA warns.
It's actually quite a lengthy PSA, but it's worth the read. The government proves that the warnings are not just theoretical scenarios – researchers on the road have digitally broken into cars straight from showroom floors at dealerships.
Some of the vehicle manipulations these researchers successfully performed remotely on a vehicle include shutting down the engine, disabling the brakes and even steering. That's on vehicles traveling between 5 and 10 mph. In vehicles traveling at any speed, the researchers could manipulate the door locks, turn signals, tachometer, radio and GPS.
In fact, last July we saw the first recall ever in the auto industry due to a software vulnerability with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV. A total of 1.4 million units had to go back to dealerships to patch the software. Also last year, GM issued a security update for its smartphone app for the Chevy Volt. Without the update, a hacker could have taken control of the Volt's engine and unlock its doors.
The PSA also includes some tips for consumers to protect themselves from such security threats. The tips are, however, pretty much common sense nowadays and are similar to actions we should be taking anyway with other connected devices.
Advice such as making sure a car's software is up to date, being mindful of any modifications made to that software and knowing who actually has access to our cars are some of the practical tips the FBI provides.
Photo : Nick Ares | Flickr
