Ford and Volkswagen cars have displayed a series of security faults which could see hackers tap cars for personal information such as phone numbers and location history. More shockingly, their investigation also found hackers could tamper with key car features to display inaccurate readings which may cause safety concerns.
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Ford have increased their security against car theft criminals
Which? worked alongside cyber security experts to examine the computer systems on connected vehicles.
They looked inside the Ford Focus Titanium Automatic 1.0L petrol car and the Volkswagen Polo SEL TSI Manual 1.0L petrol models.
Using just simple equipment, experts were able to find messages sent by the tyre pressure system on the Ford Focus.
This would make it possible for a hacker to trick the computer to display inaccurate messages such as flat tyres being read as fully-inflated.
Ford’s model also included information on the car’s location and travel direction as well as data on warning lights, fluid levels and fuel consumption.
Information on speeding, acceleration, braking and steering were also tracked by Ford. The brand’s privacy agreement says this information is shared with dealers and affiliates.
Ford vehicles also contained wifi details and password information for computer systems on Ford’s production line based in Detroit.
Experts also identified a range of issues with the Volkswagen Polo model used in the exam.
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Simply removing the Volkswagen badge off the front of a car may give access to the front radar module.
Hackers may use this to tamper with the collision-warning system in another major safety risk for road users.
Vokswagen cars also collect personal data from motorists with the We Connect app asking for access to people calendars and tyeh contents of a USB storage.
In a privacy agreement, Volkswagen says this data is only sent to third parties when it is necessary to fulfil a “contractual obligation”
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Which? Is concerned about a lack of regulation for brand new in-car technology which has allowed manufacturers to be careless with security.
Strict regulations are in place for testing crash safety but no such system exists for tech security issues.
Groups such as the United Nations are working on introducing a new regulation to combat this for 2021 but it is likely to only be voluntary.
Lisa Barber, spokesperson for Which? Said: “Most cars now contain powerful computer systems, yet a glaring lack of regulation of these systems means they could be left wide open to attack by hackers – putting drivers’ safety and personal data at risk.
“The government should be working to ensure that appropriate security is built into the design of cars and put an end to a deeply flawed system of manufacturers marking their own homework on tech security.”
The consumer champions have also raised concerns about how much data cars are collecting about their owners and how information is stored.
They have raised concerns about the risk to motorists if serious security issues are left unchecked on vehicles.
The models were selected as they were two of the best sellers on the current market but Which? is concerned the results could be replicated throughout the industry.
Express.co.uk has contacted Ford and Volkswagen for comment on the potential security concerns.
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