Motor vehicles are “increasingly vulnerable” to cyberattacks, according to The FBI and federal regulators. The FBI and U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a bulletin Thursday with this warning, stressing the importance of security consciousness and implementation on the part of vehicle owners and manufacturers.
“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.
The statement is the latest step in the government’s effort to raise awareness of the cybersecurity concerns that come with Internet-connected cars.
“Modern motor vehicles often include new connected vehicle technologies that aim to provide benefits such as added safety features, improved fuel economy and greater overall convenience. Aftermarket devices are also providing consumers with new features to monitor the status of their vehicles. However, with this increased connectivity, it is important that consumers and manufacturers maintain awareness of potential cyber security threats,” the bulletin begins.
“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.”
A 2014 study showed that hackers could take control of an automobile through a number of common features, including Wi-Fi, keyless locks and Bluetooth.
