The emergence of smart cars has opened the door to limitless possibilities for technology and innovation - but also to threats beyond the car itself. New research from Michigan State University is the first to apply criminal justice theory to smart vehicles, revealing cracks in the current system leading to potential cyber risks.
As vehicles become smarter and more connected to WiFi networks, hackers will have more opportunities to breach vehicle systems. Connecting your smartphone through a USB port can give a hacker backdoor access to data from both your phone and your car. Additionally, Google Android users who can download apps from unverified sites are even more at-risk.
The research, published in the Journal of Crime and Justice applied Routine Activities Theory, a popular criminal justice framework, to current forms of vehicle security and provided recommendations for manufacturers and owners to improve safety.
Holt says that it won't be long before all vehicles have smart capabilities. He fears that it will take too many tragic stories of accidents or breaches to get people to act.
"We need to improve the presence of software guardians and better resources; we also need to think about developing policies to protect users, vehicles, and customers," Holt said. "There are real benefits to smart cars and autonomous features, but we need to get ahead of the risks before those benefits are lost."
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