The Catalan police force Mossos d'Esquadra and the Cybersecurity Agency of Catalonia have issued a joint warning: connected vehicles are the new target for criminals. The increasing connectivity of modern cars makes them an easy target for cyberattacks. The data confirms this: attacks on the automotive sector number in the thousands each month, a trend that continues to grow and demands an urgent response from drivers and manufacturers.
How the hack works: vulnerabilities in infotainment systems 🚗💻
Criminals no longer need to force the lock. They exploit digital entry points such as the infotainment system, the virtual key on the phone, or the vehicle's Bluetooth and WiFi connections. Once inside, they can disable the anti-theft system, start the engine, or even access the brakes and steering via remote commands. The vulnerability lies not in the engine, but in the software that controls it. Many manufacturers still do not update these systems frequently enough to close these security gaps.
The connected car: now they also steal your Spotify and your gas tank 😅🔐
So now you know, while you're worrying about the GPS and the sound system, a hacker could be taking your car from the comfort of their couch without getting their hands dirty. It's the era of low-cost crime: no lock picks, no kicking in the lock, just a laptop and a good internet connection. The worst part isn't that they steal your car; it's that the insurance company asks if you had the latest software update installed. You might be better off checking your phone alarm than the one in the garage.