Are Cars Smarter Than Hackers

Who knew that back in the early 1980s KITT from the TV show “Knight Rider” would be a glimpse into the future? 

Some cars are so smart that today’s more advanced models utilize advanced driver assistance systems; autonomous driving capabilities; and connected infotainment systems to improve safety, convenience and connectivity. Unfortunately, as cars advance technologically, so do methods of stealing and hacking into their systems. Are cars smart enough to thwart these threats, or do more smarts equate to increased vulnerability?  

Clever technological advancements mean some cars are privy to information such as where owners drive, what time they typically go, and their preferred temperature and seat position. These features might sound promising since these abilities should mean that a car can easily detect deviations from the norm (e.g., a nonowner drives the vehicle to an unusual location at an abnormal time of day). Regardless, avoiding hackers might require more than these shiny new features. 

Patrick McCann is the editor-in-chief at wetrytires.com, an online resource dedicated to education about tire maintenance, and is known as the car guy. He suggested that technological advancement in cars is both good and bad.   

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