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Here’s how to avoid your car getting hacked

By
Ben Geier
Ben Geier
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By
Ben Geier
Ben Geier
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 17, 2015, 11:46 AM ET
Inside The 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS)
A Tesla Motors Inc. Model S P85D vehicle is displayed at the 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. NAIAS is expecting approximately 40-50 global and North American vehicle reveals during the Jan. 12-13 press preview for the show. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPhotograph by Daniel Acker — Bloomberg/Getty Images

With the advent of autonomous and connected cars, criminals don’t have to break your window to do serious damage to your automobile. There are a few ways, though, to make sure that hackers don’t get access.

Bloomberg View columnist Leonid Bershidsky laid out a few of them in a column today. Here are a few of the best tips:

  • Drive a simpler car. The top-end cars, such as those from Tesla (TSLA) and BMW, have more microprocessors, which creates a bigger “attack area” for hackers to mess with your vehicle
  • Expensive cars are also particularly strong candidates for hacking, as they’re worth the time and effort from hackers.
  • Unessential connections, such as a processor in the entertainment system, or anti-lock breaks, create more potential hacking opportunities.

 

So, it essentially boils down to this: sure, your newest connected car might be super cool, but all those creature comforts make you more likely to be the target of a hack.

About the Author
By Ben Geier
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