Summary
Our cars have evolved from mechanical devices to giant computers on wheels. Now, computers control most of the operation of the car and the entire infotainment system. Here are four steps you need to take to protect your car from cybercriminals.
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Transcript
Our cars have gone from mechanical devices to giant computers on wheels. Many functions are processed digitally and most entertainment systems need the internet. But an internet connection means your car could be vulnerable. Here are four steps to protect your connected car.
For Personal Tech Media, this is Two Minute Tech. I’m Jim Herman.
The first step to protecting your car starts before you even get behind the wheel. When choosing a car, pay attention to the track record of the manufacturer that you’d be purchasing from. The choices a manufacturer makes in implementing the car’s systems will be one of the most significant factors in determining the safety. Also, make sure to pay attention to how long it takes to get updates.
Second, limit what your car will share. In most cases, the sharing options will be presented when you set up the vehicle or install the companion app. When it comes to data sharing, make selections that will not send data back to the manufacturer or that will anonymize it before the data is sent.
Third, be cautious before installing additional software on your car. Most connected car systems allow you to install other apps, but don’t just download and install any app. Ensure an app comes from a trusted source before you add it to your vehicle.
And fourth, be careful what you connect to your car. Your car likely has a USB port for the media system and a port for the diagnostic system. Don’t just connect anything to these ports. If you aren’t 100% sure that a device is trustworthy, don’t plug it in to your car.