http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Automotive-Navigatoin-Entertainment-Systems-Susceptible-to-Hackers-McAfee-876878/ By Fahmida Y. Rashid eWEEK.com 2011-09-07 Automobiles are getting smarter as carmakers put in computers that can help drivers parallel park and add Internet connectivity to post Facebook or Twitter updates. They are also driving into uncharted territory as the smart features expose the vehicles to cyber-attacks, McAfee said in a recent report. Vehicles are enhanced with embedded chips and sensors for an array of applications, but the systems and data collected are not protected, McAfee said in a report released Sept. 6. The number of Internet-connected devices is projected to climb from a billion in 2010 to 50 billion in 2020, of which the bulk will be embedded devices, according to the "Caution: Malware Ahead" report. Technology is increasingly being added to vehicles to improve the safety features, monitor the condition of the engine and deliver entertainment to the passengers. Microchips are embedded in almost all parts of an automobile, including airbags, brakes, power seats, cruise-control systems, anti-theft gadgets and communication devices, McAfee said. However, security is "often" an afterthought in embedded devices, McAfee said. "As more and more functions get embedded in the digital technology of automobiles, the threat of attack and malicious manipulation increases," said McAfee senior vice president and general manager Stuart McClure. Having a car hacked could result in "dire risks" to personal safety, he said. [...] _____________________________________________________________ Register now for the #HITB2011KUL - Asia's premier deep-knowledge network security event now in it's 9th year! http://conference.hitb.org/hitbsecconf2011kul/Received on Thu Sep 08 2011 - 01:34:47 PDT
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