Here's What You Need to Know About Car-Hacking

We've all heard about and seen hacking become a prevalent occurrence on the interweb. However, did you know cars are also vulnerable to it? Look at it this way: with the advances in technology the automotive world continues to make, cars are now merely computers with wheels and a cabin.

From remotely accessing telematics units in vehicles to invading and overriding crucial functions like acceleration and braking, researchers across the globe continue to demonstrate just how defenseless cars can be.

As unsettling as this revelation might be, here's all you need to know about car-hacking.

1. Simply put, car-hacking is primarily unwarranted cyber invasion into a car.

The scope of said invasion can range from eavesdropping via the infotainment system to unlocking car doors. More serious consequences could include overriding driver inputs and consequently control braking, steering and acceleration.

2. Electronic control units (ECU) are basically microprocessors that command pretty much every function in a car, including, but not limited to, acceleration, braking, navigation, and deployment of airbag(s).

Most new cars in the market contain over 50 such microprocessors.

3. From diagnostic devices to Bluetooth pairings and smartphone connections; pretty much any part that exchanges information with the outside world is a possible point of breach.

However, it is a car's telematics unit that may be the most exposed of them all. For those who don't know, the telematics system is responsible for features like smartphone integration, audio options, and some safety functions.

4. As automotive technology continues to evolve, so do the problems associated with them and possible avenues for hackers to exploit.

5. Though there have been no reports of such incidents yet, the truth remains that car manufacturers can promise only limited security. Limited security, for they have no control over devices that the owner adds to the car.

That said, one must note that experts say it's still relatively difficult and expensive to exploit a car via cyber means.

P.S: Images are for representation purpose only.