How safe are today’s cars from the threat of hacking? Automakers have delivered “software-defined vehicles” – rolling computers linked to the Internet. Over the air updates can add new functionality without having to visit the dealership.
But as these sophisticated vehicles add intelligence and operate with more than 100 million lines of code, they become even more alluring to hackers, even while automakers and cybersecurity experts try desperately to establish impenetrable firewalls.
The threats could be catastrophic if a hacker gains control of steering, braking and overall vehicle function, or taps into the treasure trove of personal data gathered by today’s smart cars. While automakers say they want to fight hackers, their practice of sharing data isn’t helping.