Connecting cars to the Internet is dangerous, says AA

The AA has warned against connecting cars to the Internet because of the dangers of hackers stealing cars or hacking into their control systems.

“You are now getting the connected car,” says AA President Edmund King, “you’re getting cars that are connected to the Internet. If cyber-criminals targeted automobiles like they’re targeting other things we’d be in for a hard and fast ride. The more cars rely on technology, particularly remote technology, the more there is to get at.”

King said most dangerous would be hacking into a car’s security system including cruise control and braking.

“Ultimately there could be a terrorist-type threat to transport systems,” says King.

It has been suggested that, now it is possible for outside hackers to gain access to a car’s control systems, criminals could interfere with a car’s speed and braking so hackers could take control of a car and make a demand for money on pain of having their car crashed.

Range Rovers and BMWs have been stolen as thieves use a handheld device to bypass keyless ignition systems,

Cars’ CANs (Controller Area Networks) can be hacked. Microphones could be switched on to hear occupants’ conversation and usage can be tracked and monitored.

Infotainment devices are particularly vulnerable as they are connected to the Internet and many use open source OSes like Android which make them as hack able as phones.

The proliferation of sensors in cars collecting large amounts of data about the user’s movements and driving habits makes cars increasingly vulnerable to outside interference.

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from News http://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/automotive-electronics-2/connecting-cars-internet-dangerous-says-aa-2014-12/

via Yuichun