Modern technology comes at a price. On one hand, the innovations make people’s lives easier, but, they also open new ways of causing harm and cars are no exception. With the new systems being wholly computer controlled, they have become prone to cyber-attacks. As per a recent report by CNN, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, 2015 Cadillac Escalade and 2014 Toyota Prius are rated the most ‘hackable’ while the 2014 Dodge Viper and 2014 Audi A8 are the least ‘hackable’ among the 20 car models tested by automotive security researchers.
The problem with these cars is that the different systems like the infotainment and the engine controls are on the same network. So, if the driver downloads a virus on his/her cellphone and then connects via Bluetooth to his/her car then the virus will infect the network and might enter the engine control system which in turn may give access to the hacker. This means, the hacker will have access to the steering, engine, brakes etc. and can control the car remotely thus causing harm to the car’s occupants.
However, the Audi A8 has its high tech system like adaptive cruise control on different networks than its wireless communication systems while the Viper has very few computer-controlled components. Thus, these cars are safer and termed least ‘hackable’.
UPDATE:
Each car had been tested under three categories namely: Attack surface, Network architecture and Cyber physical.
Attack surface includes range of features that could be hacked including BT, WiFi, key fobs and tyre pressure monitoring systems
Network architecture includes the accessibility of these features in the vehicles critical systems like brakes and steering.
Cyber physical includes cars features that can be controlled wirelessly such as automated braking and parking sensors.
