As we continue to move towards a more digital age, we are faced with more and more potential risks that continue to arise with the development of technology. We have seen this with the innovation of the home pc and the 1st computer virus, and we are seeing a similar thing occurring in the automotive industry. The goal with this blog post is to make our readers aware of these threats, as that is the 1st step in protecting yourself from them. To do this we must briefly revisit another topic, ADAS features.
What could happen?
In another blog we talk about some of the latest innovations in the automotive industry, ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). These features are added to the car to increase the overall safety and driving experience. Features like forward collision alert, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control are all very useful to improve the overall safety of all passengers in the vehicle, however these features rely on computer systems that have a threat of being hacked remotely. If these systems were to be hacked, the driver and passengers of the vehicle could be immediately placed in a dangerous situation. Imagine you are driving down the road and you set your adaptive cruise control (monitors the car’s speed in front of you), if this system is compromised it is possible that your car can accelerate into the vehicle in front of you. Sounds pretty scary right? Well, that is just the beginning of the potential danger that can come. Many of these newer computer systems are used to control nearly every aspect of the vehicle. Meaning that the hacker has the ability to completely take over your car remotely. They can accelerate, change lanes, and stop the vehicle all without ever entering it. Because of this, many problems can arise from this threat. Not only is the driver endangered while driving their vehicle, but it is also possible for the hacker to simply steal the vehicle by remotely controlling the vehicle and driving it to a location to pick it up.
The facts
Now not all cars are able to be remotely hacked, however the newer your vehicle is, the more likely it is to have a sophisticated computer system. The more connected your car is, the more opportunity there is for someone to hack your vehicle. In 2019 there were 150 cyber security incidents that occurred in 2019. Having a 94% year over year increase since 2016. We are likely only to see an increase to this trend as more advanced communication systems are incorporated into newer vehicles, especially wireless update capabilities. There already are instances where hackers are attacking these systems with ransomware and in the future it could be possible that these hackers make it impossible for you to start your car without paying them. At this point the only thing you can do is have the vehicle towed and given all new software. Unfortunately, there is nothing that the consumer can do themselves that can fix these issues and we must rely on the manufacturers to put a focus on security through every component of the vehicles and establish cyber security centers to combat them.
Our recommendation
Our recommendation is that if you are buying a new vehicle with advanced computer and communication systems, to always do the research and make sure that the auto manufacturer makes cybersecurity and the protection of your vehicle a priority. Although there is not a whole lot that can be done by the consumer to prevent these issues, we believe that when it comes to vehicle safety, it is important to be knowledgeable about all potential risks.
At Apex Auto Glass & Tinting we care about the safety needs of all our customers and community members. Although we cannot help with removing a virus from your vehicle, we CAN repair and/or replace any glass that your vehicle needs as well as perform the necessary ADAS calibrations to ensure your vehicles safety features are working properly. Whether it is auto glass or auto tint, call Apex!
