FBI Warns That Cars Are Increasingly Vulnerable to Hacks

It’s no surprise that hackers have taken an interest in connected vehicles, but not everyone is actually aware of their cars’ vulnerabilities. That’s why the FBI has decided to make a public service announcement alongside the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in which it warns people of the dangers of hacking and tells them what they can do to protect themselves from these attacks. Interestingly enough, the announcement doesn’t come in the wake of some new discovery, which means that the agency probably should have issued it quite some time ago. In any case, it includes some pointers that can diminish the risk of being hacked, such as keeping the car’s software updated and making sure to verify the authenticity of various notifications.

Since a team of researchers managed to successfully demonstrate how to control a car’s critical functions using an insurance dongle last year, the FBI also informs about the dangers of connecting various third-party devices to your vehicles. The bulletin included these exact words:

“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. Modern motor vehicles often include new connected vehicle technologies that aim to provide benefits such as added safety features, improved fuel economy, and greater overall convenience. Aftermarket devices are also providing consumers with new features to monitor the status of their vehicles. However, with this increased connectivity, it is important that consumers and manufacturers maintain awareness of potential cyber security threats.”

Are you worried about potential hacking attempts on your vehicle?