FBI Warns That Cars Are ‘Increasingly Vulnerable’ to Hacking

GM fixed a security flaw in some Chevrolet Volts.
GM fixed a security flaw in some Chevrolet Volts.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

The FBI and U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warned that cars are “increasingly vulnerable” to hacking, Fortune reports.

“The FBI and NHTSA are warning the general public and manufacturers – of vehicles, vehicle components, and aftermarket devices – to maintain awareness of potential issues and cybersecurity threats related to connected vehicle technologies in modern vehicles,” the agencies said in the bulletin.

Some car companies are beginning to use software that could be hacked. General Motors, for example, issued a security update after realizing that hackers could start the engine or unlock the doors of a Chevrolet Volt.

BMW also fixed a security flaw that could have allowed hackers to remotely open the doors.

“While not all hacking incidents may result in a risk to safety – such as an attacker taking control of a vehicle – it is important that consumers take appropriate steps to minimize risk,” the FBI bulletin said Thursday.

Leave a Reply