Keep Your Electric Car Safe: A Guide to Securing Your EV

While the risk of a hacker taking remote control of your EV may still be slim, it’s never a bad idea to secure your ride.

Table of Contents:

How electric cars can be hacked
The potential consequences of a successful hack on an electric car
Securing your electric car’s wireless network
The importance of securing your electric car’s wireless network
Practical tips for securing your electric car’s wireless network
Keeping your electric car’s software updated
How to check for and install software updates on your electric car
Amplification attack

In this piece, we’ll delve into the various ways EVs can be vulnerable to cyber attacks, and give you the lowdown on how to safeguard your vehicle’s wireless network and software. The bottom line? It’s time to give your EV the same level of cyber protection as your smartphone.

How electric cars can be hacked

One fear in the minds of car owners is the potential for cyber-attacks and hacking. Whilst the chances of being successfully hacked are still relatively low, it’s vital to be aware of the risks and prepare accordingly. Here, we’ll show you how to protect your electric car from hackers, and what measures you can take to keep its wireless connections and software secure.

Hackers are becoming more advanced and skilled every day, and electric vehicles are no exception.

The potential consequences of a successful hack on an electric car

As the electric vehicle revolution continues to gather pace, the threat of cyber attacks on our beloved EVs is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. With the increasing connectivity of modern vehicles, hackers have the potential to gain control of various systems within a car, such as the engine, brakes, and steering. This can not only potentially cause damage to the car itself, but put the driver and passengers at risk, by causing accidents on the road.

Just take the case of the 2019 Tesla hack, where cybercriminals were able to gain control of the car’s systems and steal the vehicle without the owner even realizing it. This highlights the potential for EV theft through hacking and the need for EV owners to be vigilant in protecting their vehicles from cyber threats.

But it’s not just the risk to personal safety and the potential for car theft that’s a concern. A successful hack on an EV can also result in a loss of personal data. Many EVs store personal information such as location data and driving habits, which can be accessed by hackers if the car’s systems are compromised. This can not only be a privacy concern but also can be used for targeted advertising or even identity theft.

Securing your electric car’s wireless network

So, how can you protect your EV from these cyber threats? It’s all about staying vigilant. Keep your car’s software updated and be aware of any potential vulnerabilities in the car’s wireless network. Try to limit the amount of personal information stored in the car, and be cautious when connecting to public charging stations or other unfamiliar networks. With a little bit of care, you can keep your electric ride running smoothly and securely.

electric vehicles come packed with a host of cutting-edge tech, and while that’s all well and good, it also means that there’s a plethora of potential entry points for cybercriminals. One of the most notable vulnerabilities is the car’s wireless network. Many EVs come with built-in WiFi capabilities, allowing the car to connect to the internet and interact with other devices. This can include features like remote start, remote unlock and even remote climate control. But if the wireless network isn’t properly secured, it can leave the car wide open to cyber-attacks.

The importance of securing your electric car’s wireless network

The importance of securing your electric car’s wireless network can’t be overstated. Just take the case of the 2015 Jeep Cherokee hack, where researchers at Wired magazine were able to take control of the vehicle using its wireless network. The hackers were able to remotely control the car’s air conditioning, radio, and even the transmission.

Practical tips for securing your electric car’s wireless network

First up, if you need to use one, use a strong password. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s amazing how many people use “password123”. Make it hard for hackers to gain access to your car’s systems by using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.

Disable any unnecessary features. Sure, it’s great to have the ability to start your EV remotely or unlock it from your phone, but these connected features can also be a security risk. If you’re not using them, turn them off.

When it comes to connecting to unfamiliar networks, such as public charging stations, proceed with caution. These networks can be a potential vector for hackers to gain access to your car’s systems.

Stay vigilant for software updates from the manufacturer. These updates may contain important security patches to fix vulnerabilities in the car’s systems. It’s essential to install these updates as soon as they become available to ensure that your EV is protected from the latest known threats.

Keeping your electric car’s software updated

Electric cars use software to control many of their functions, including the powertrain, charging system, and infotainment system. If a hacker can gain access to the car’s software, they can potentially take control of the car’s systems.

We saw this happen in real life in 2018 when a Tesla Model S owner discovered that his car had been stolen. The thief was able to gain access to the car’s software and remotely control the car, allowing them to drive it away. Tesla later issued a software update to fix the vulnerability that had been exploited.

It’s also important to be aware of the signs that your electric car may have been hacked. These signs can include strange noises or behaviour from the car, unusual energy consumption, or unexpected movements of the car. If you suspect that your electric car has been hacked, contact the manufacturer or the dealership immediately.

How to check for and install software updates on your electric car

Software updates often include important security patches to fix vulnerabilities in the car’s systems and protect it from hacking and cyber-attacks. Not only that, but updates ensure that your car’s performance and features are working at an optimal level, and can fix any bugs or glitches that may affect the car’s functionality. Skipping out on updates can put the driver and passengers at risk and make the car more vulnerable.

So how do you go about checking for and installing updates on your electric car? The process will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, but it generally involves connecting your car to a network which is normally done automatically.

It’s worth noting that not all updates will be related to security. Some updates may be focused on improving the performance of the car, fixing bugs, or adding new features. But even so, it’s still important to install these updates to ensure that your car is running at its best.

You can always take your EV to a dealership or a certified mechanic to have the updates installed for you. This way, you can ensure that your car is protected and running at its best without having to worry about technical details.

Amplification attack

Be vigilant about not leaving personal information such as your car’s key fob lying around and avoid parking in unsecured areas. Keep your car key fob safe, keep it away from windows and doors, as thieves can use radio signal amplifiers to extend the range of the signal and intercept it from a distance. It’s also a good idea to keep your key fob in a signal-blocking case or purse when you’re not using it.

Another practical tip to keep your car safe is to use your car’s built-in security features. Many newer cars come with keyless entry systems that require the driver to have the key fob close to the car to unlock it. This feature makes it more difficult for thieves to use relay or amplification attacks to steal your car.

Always be aware of your surroundings and be mindful of who is around you when you’re entering or exiting your car. If you notice anything suspicious, don’t hesitate to call the police.