For the many folks concerned about cyberthieves hacking emails and stealing personal information from online accounts, here comes another worry:
A cyberattack on your car – while you’re driving.
That’s one of the threats outlined in a report on “Vehicle Cybersecurity” by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
The computerized gadgets that make late-model cars safer and more fun to drive also provide an entry for thieves, terrorists and thrill seeking geeks. GAO knows of no cyberattacks resulting in injury yet, but the report warns that remote “attacks could involve multiple vehicles and cause widespread impacts including passenger injuries or fatalities…cyber attackers could theoretically achieve massive attacks of multiple vehicles simultaneously.”
Modern electronics provide several ways for hackers to get into your ride, sometimes without even touching it. With direct access to the vehicle, they can plug into the on-board diagnostic port now in many vehicles or the compact disc player. They can gain short- and long-range remote wireless access through systems for keyless entry, Bluetooth wi-fi, cellular calls and satellite radio.
