Vehicle networks are considered vulnerable to jamming and spoofing.
Car shipping companies face serious cybersecurity threats.
A keyless car can be stolen in under 30 seconds.
Third-party software can expose vehicles to hidden risks.
Back-end system attacks can erase or steal sensitive data.
Cybercrime has now become a global issue, and cybercriminals are making over $1.5 trillion every year. Anything that is connected to the internet or any network can be hacked, and sensitive data can be stolen.
Even cars aren’t safe anymore. From car theft by keyless entry hacks to compromises of vehicle networks and backend systems, the risks are real and on the rise. Even shipping companies or organizations that transport & deliver vehicles face a real risk if they don’t have a robust enough cybersecurity.
In this article, I’ll mention underappreciated risks while also examining why it’s equally important for both drivers and businesses to stay informed, take action, and protect themselves from the rising risks of digital assault & threats in auto transport.
Vehicle Networks Can Easily Be Jeopardized
Vehicle networks are built under the complex algorithms of various utilities like sensors, privacy monitors, etc. Cyberattacks that appear on these networks can be utilized to disrupt or even steal data, or take full control of the car’s functions.
Tricks like jamming, spoofing, eavesdropping, and others are common ways to steal confidential information. Spoofing occurs when someone gets a fake message from an impersonator. Jamming, on the other hand, happens when a hacker tries to interfere with the wireless signals of the vehicle network.
When it comes to eavesdropping, it represents intercepting and supervising data exchanged in the vehicle network, in order to access relevant and sensitive information.
Car Shipping Is Prone To These Risks, Too!
The vehicle shipping industry also relies a lot on technology to organize, manage, and monitor shipments and deliveries. Businesses that do not exercise sufficient caution often deal with cyberattacks, which have a detrimental impact on deliveries, result in significant financial losses, and result in cargo loss.
This isn’t as unusual as some of you might believe, which is precisely why you should prioritize cybersecurity in order to defend yourself from attacks of this nature. Lots of people these days resort to car delivery in New York because it is renowned for using reliable software and security measures, such as data encryption, access control, firewalls, and others, to keep hackers at bay. This is one method for preventing cyberattacks.
Another thing that companies can do is to educate their workers about numerous threats that lurk around the corner, how to detect them, and most importantly, to report them immediately!
Interesting Fact According to Upstream, the incidence of automotive hacks increased by about 225% between 2018 and 2021, and remote attacks accounted for about 85% of all intrusions.
The Rise Of Keyless Car Theft
Here comes an issue that has become quite common lately, which unfortunately isn’t discussed enough. So what happens during this process? Specifically, thieves use various gadgets to amplify the signal from the key fob, effectively “convincing” the car that the key is nearby and encouraging it to unlock.
This entire process doesn’t usually last too long. Everything is done in approximately thirty seconds. The frightening thing about this is that the thief only needs to be a few meters away from the car to intercept the signal.
One of the most effective ways to prevent this from occurring is by making sure the car keys aren’t held anywhere close to the windows, doors, or any other place where they can easily be stolen.
Software Supply Chain
Most automotive software providers rely on complex networks of third-party products, which can be rather dangerous. How come, you probably wonder? Well, that’s because a single compromised component can lead to a huge security breach across the whole vehicle system.
Many companies believe that open-source software is a safer option due to the transparency it provides. Even though that’s partially true, what you need to remember is the fact that the more third-party parts are merged into the product, the more challenging it’s going to be to detect hidden vulnerabilities. At the same time, make sure that the vehicle is secured the right way.
Intriguing Insights
This infographic shows the statistics about connected vehicle cybersecurity threats.
Cyber Threats And Back-End Systems
Back-end systems refer to the databases and servers that store, handle, and provide various services and updates to their users and vehicles based on the data collected from the vehicles. Cyberattacks that hit these systems are intended to steal, damage, or completely erase the data.
One of the best examples of these types of attacks is the Denial-of-service, during which an attacker bombards the back-end systems with requests that are fake with the goal of overloading them.
Regardless of how safe they are, no company or industry is completely safe from cyberattacks. That’s exactly why the awareness when it comes to this must be raised so that these risks can be drastically reduced.
FAQs
How are vehicle networks vulnerable to cyberattacks?
Vehicles have devices like sensors and control units that can easily become targets of hackers, and they can spoof, jam, or eavesdrop to steal data or disrupt car functions.
What makes keyless car theft so dangerous?
Thieves can amplify your key fob’s signal to unlock and steal your car in under 30 seconds, often from just a few meters away.
Why is the auto transport industry at risk from cyber threats?
Car shipping relies on a tech system that, if unprotected, can be hacked. This will cause delays, cargo loss, and major financial damage.
Gaurav Rathore
