# Cybersecurity and Your Car Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2021-12-13 Category: TECHNOLOGY Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/technology Meta Title: Top Tips For Keeping Your Car Safe from Cyber Attacks Meta Description: Learn how to protect your car from cybercriminals with our top tips, including software updates, antivirus protection, password security, and more. URL: https://financedigest.com/cybersecurity-and-your-carhtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/istock-1324207031-1736836562574-compressed.jpg) We know that the internet comes with risks. We keep our PCs protected with antivirus software and we know to ignore those emails offering us huge gains for just sharing our banking details. But did you know that your car is also a vulnerable target for cybercriminals? They can exploit the car’s computer [systems to steal your personal information](https://www.financedigest.com/the-radiology-information-systems-market-shall-be-growing-unabatedly-in-the-future.html "The Radiology Information Systems Market shall be growing unabatedly in the future"), or even take control of the car itself. When you have a [connected car, cybersecurity](https://www.trustonic.com/automotive/) needs to be taken just as seriously as you do with online activities in your home. The good news is that [car manufacturers are becoming more aware](https://www.financedigest.com/being-aware-of-the-insurance-blind-spot-when-it-comes-to-driverless-cars.html "Being aware of the insurance blind spot when it comes to driverless cars") of the need for cybersecurity, and are starting to put measures in place to protect their vehicles. However, you still have a responsibility to ensure that your car is protected from [cyber threats](https://www.financedigest.com/cyber-threats-for-finance-organisations-to-watch-in-2023.html "Cyber threats for finance organisations to watch in 2023"). ## **Our Top Tips For Keeping Your Car Safe from Cyber Attacks** ### **1\. Make sure your car has the latest software updates.** Car manufacturers are constantly issuing updates to their [car’s computer systems in order to fix vulnerabilities and improve](https://www.financedigest.com/how-technology-is-improving-car-safety.html "How technology is improving car safety") security. While it can be tempting to wait until your [car goes in for its annual service, if you want your car to have the highest level](https://www.financedigest.com/eu-u-s-eye-level-playing-field-for-eu-electric-cars-in-u-s-market.html "EU, U.S. eye level playing field for EU electric cars in U.S. market") of protection then it’s essential that updates are installed as soon as they become available. ### **2\. Protect your car with a good antivirus program.** Just like your PC, you [need to protect your car’s](https://www.financedigest.com/reasons-you-need-a-car-insurance-when-driving-in-thailand.html "Reasons You Need a Car Insurance When Driving in Thailand") computer systems with a good antivirus program. Of course, you may not have a choice in the matter if your [car’s software is only available from the manufacturer](https://www.financedigest.com/rio-tinto-inks-deal-to-bring-iron-ore-rail-car-manufacturing-to-pilbara.html "Rio Tinto inks deal to bring iron ore rail car manufacturing to Pilbara") itself. In this case, it’s essential that you get an antivirus program with regular automatic updates to ensure that you have [access to the latest protection](https://www.financedigest.com/supporting-a-fair-and-resilient-society-by-protecting-access-to-cash.html "Supporting a fair and resilient society by protecting access to cash "). ### **3\. Keep personal details secure on your smartphone.** When you connect your phone with your car, make sure that any [personal information](https://www.financedigest.com/half-of-brits-fear-smart-home-devices-could-listen-to-personal-and-confidential-information.html "Half of Brits fear smart home devices could listen to personal and confidential information") stored on it remains private. Make sure that no apps have permission to track your location or access your address book without permission and [avoid making payments or signing up for services through your car’s](https://www.financedigest.com/avoiding-a-big-data-car-crash-how-to-organise-your-data-to-detect-fraudulent-claims.html "Avoiding a big data car crash: How to organise your data to detect fraudulent claims") infotainment system. ### **4\. Use strong passwords.** Make sure your car’s passwords are strong and unique. Don’t use the same password for your [car as you do for your online](https://www.financedigest.com/adnami-continues-its-european-expansion-by-introducing-new-partnership-with-largest-pan-european-online-car-market-autoscout24.html "Adnami continues its European expansion by introducing new partnership with largest pan-European online car market AutoScout24") banking, for example. It’s recommended that passwords should be at least twelve characters long and include a mixture of upper and lower case letters along with numbers and special characters. Don’t make the mistake of using easily guessed words like ‘password’ or ‘car’ or writing down your password to help you remember it! ### **5\. Beware of phishing attacks.** Phishing attacks are when criminals try to get you to [reveal your personal information by masquerading as a legitimate organisation such as your car manufacturer](https://www.financedigest.com/opportunity-assessment-of-gamma-knife-market-reveals-profitable-avenues-for-manufacturers.html "Opportunity Assessment of Gamma Knife Market Reveals Profitable Avenues for Manufacturers"). They may send you an email that looks like it’s from your car company, asking you to update your [account details or install a new software](https://www.financedigest.com/is-your-accounting-software-holding-you-hostage.html "Is your accounting software holding you hostage?") update. Never respond to emails requesting personal information unless you are absolutely certain that they are genuine. Instead, go directly to the [website of the organisation in question and log in that way](https://www.financedigest.com/ways-to-make-money-from-a-website.html "Ways To Make Money From A Website"). If you’re not sure, contact [customer support](https://www.financedigest.com/how-payment-institutions-can-leverage-data-to-support-merchant-customers.html "How payment institutions can leverage data to support merchant customers") for help. ### **4\. Secure your Wi-Fi connection.** If you have a Wi-Fi hotspot in your car, make sure it’s also been [secured with a strong password](https://www.financedigest.com/ai-is-the-new-password-security-and-ease-for-finance-users.html "AI is the new password: security and ease for finance users ") and encryption enabled. Otherwise, anyone nearby could connect to the internet through your [car by using that wireless access point](https://www.financedigest.com/germany-added-35-more-electric-car-charge-points-in-2022-says-bdew.html "Germany added 35% more electric car charge points in 2022, says BDEW"). That then means that downloading malicious software or accessing your personal data is just a [click away](https://www.financedigest.com/global-economy-collapse-just-one-click-away.html "Global economy collapse just one click away") for the cyber-criminal. ### **5\. Back up your data.** In the event that your car’s computer systems are compromised, it’s a good idea to have a backup of your [important data](https://www.financedigest.com/the-importance-of-xy-data-in-pcb-assembly.html "The Importance of XY Data in PCB Assembly"). This way, you can restore your car to its previous state without losing any vital information. If you’re not sure how to do this, check your [car’s manual or request help from your local service](https://www.financedigest.com/car-rental-service-market-is-forecasted-to-grow-at-a-7-2-cagr-by-2031-comprehensive-research-report-by-fmi.html "Car Rental Service Market is forecasted to grow at a 7.2% CAGR By 2031- Comprehensive Research Report by FMI") centre. ### **6\. Use a tracking device.** If your car is stolen, a tracking device can help you track it down. This not only helps you get your car [back quickly but can also give](https://www.financedigest.com/giving-the-control-of-the-payment-process-back-to-consumers.html "Giving the Control of the Payment Process Back to Consumers") the police valuable information on who might have stolen it. If you’re [buying a used car](https://www.financedigest.com/4-things-to-consider-before-buying-your-dream-car.html "4 Things To Consider Before Buying Your Dream Car"), make sure that you check whether or not it is equipped with any kind of tracking device and if so, how it can be accessed. You need to ensure that previous owners are not able to [track your new car](https://www.financedigest.com/electric-car-maker-lucid-on-track-for-2022-2023-output-targets-ceo-says.html "Electric car maker Lucid on track for 2022, 2023 output targets, CEO says"). ### **7\. Be vigilant.** The best [way to protect](https://www.financedigest.com/5-ways-to-protect-your-wealth-for-future-generations.html "5 Ways to Protect Your Wealth for Future Generations") your car from cyber attacks is to be vigilant and aware of the risks. Make sure that your car is [protected by ensuring that you keep up to date with technology and any new cyber](https://www.financedigest.com/aon-introduces-new-cyber-solution-in-response-to-eu-regulation-on-data-protection.html "Aon introduces new cyber solution in response to EU regulation on data protection") threats. [Car manufacturers are improving security](https://www.financedigest.com/tesla-to-warn-of-data-privacy-risk-from-car-security-cameras-in-germany.html "Tesla to warn of data privacy risk from car security cameras in Germany"), not just for cybercriminals, but also to keep us safe from terrorist attacks. Intelligence agencies have alerted vehicle manufacturers to the possibility of terrorists using cars as weapons, so [future cars may have more robust security](https://www.financedigest.com/heres-how-to-secure-your-financial-future-with-ease.html "Here’s How To Secure Your Financial Future With Ease") against hacking and tampering with important systems. **This is a sponsored Feature** --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---