Cars lack protection from hackers

'' Cybersecurity industry is 20 years behind the software industry ''

Malware that damages the car and puts passengers in danger is not a distant vision of the future: due to increasing computerization, hacker attacks via WiFi hotspots or even audio CDs are conceivable. The car manufacturers have so far only poorly protected their on-board systems against viruses and Trojans. Partly "no incidents known", partly also "no comment", so replies to a related request from Reuters http://reut.rs/QhYCjy to leading automakers, while indications of research into new security systems remained the exception.

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Cars: Computerization increases the risk of attack (Photo: Flickr / epsos)

Computers on Wheels

Security experts have long called the car the "computer on wheels", for an obvious reason: "100 small computers are in modern luxury cars, around 60 to 80 in average cars," explains Nils Pohl from the Chair of Integrated Systems at the Ruhr University in Bochum http://www.ei.rub.de in the press text interview. Every control unit is affected, from navigation systems to window lifters and motors, whereby there are three system circuits - "Safety, comfort and infotainment. The three areas should typically not be connected to one another," as the information technician reports.

However, security experts are less optimistic about the risk of cross-infections, not least because the smartphone is being connected more and more to the vehicle and even WiFi hotspots are supposed to increase the comfort of the occupants. Antivirus specialist Kaspersky warned of cross infections from hacker attacks last year. What happens when an Android vehicle system is attacked is "hard to predict", the analyst Vicente Diaz told press release (see: http://bit.ly/Nf3GFc). McAfee's Bruce Snell is similar: "Car manufacturers hardly worry about possible cyber attacks."

No perspective on technology

A report by researchers from California and Washington shows how computer worms and Trojans could get into cars: The on-board diagnosis, the radio link and especially the car radio are the three weak points. Hackers could use these gates to try to steal cars, overhear conversations in the car or even cause accidents. The entire industry is affected by the problem, as many manufacturers use the same suppliers and development processes.

"The automakers only use new technology because it is possible without understanding the potential risks," warns US security expert Joe Grand. In understanding the protective measures against cyber attacks, the automotive industry would even be "20 years behind the software company". The manufacturers continue to simply point out that everything has gone well so far. "There are still no reports of violent attacks on cars using computer viruses," said the SAE International Association of Technicians.

(ck) 21.08.2012/XNUMX/XNUMX

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