Computer systems of cars ‘could be hacked’

TYPES OF cars made by Ford and Volkswagen contain serious security flaws which could allow them to be hacked and could put drivers’ safety at risk, according to Which? research.

The consumer group says it uncovered vulnerabilities in the computer system of the Ford Focus Titanium Automatic 1.0L petrol and the Volkswagen Polo SEL TSI Manual 1.0L petrol models.

It warns the issues could put the driver’s security, privacy and safety at risk, and claims a lack of meaningful regulation for onboard technology in the motor industry has allowed manufacturers to be careless with security. Having only tested two cars, Which? fears similar flaws may be widespread.

Working with Context Information Security, experts were able to hack the infotainment unit, part of the car’s “central nervous system”, inside a Volkswagen Polo. They claim there is a vulnerability in a section of the car that can enable or disable traction control, which is used to help drivers control their vehicle. Tests also found the collision warning system was open to tampering.

On the Focus, researchers could use basic equipment to intercept messages sent by the tyre pressure monitoring system, opening it up to a safety hazard if a hacker decided to trick the system to display flat tyres were fully-inflated, or vice versa.

Lisa Barber, editor of Which? magazine, said the Government should be working to ensure appropriate security is built into the design of cars and put an end to manufacturers “marking their own homework on tech security”.

Ford said it takes “cybersecurity seriously by consistently working to mitigate the risk”.

Volkswagen said it does not believe any of the findings pose “any direct risk for the driver or passengers”.