If you thought
preventing all those nasty viruses and spyware from taking over your computer
was a pain, just wait until they infect your truck.
So far,
four-wheelers and trucks alike have been relatively immune to malicious
computer attacks. But as vehicle manufacturers begin allowing owners to input
information and data into multimedia-capable vehicle computers, the chances for
a dangerous auto virus grow, according to a new study from technology researchers
at Kaspersky Lab in Russia.
Yevgeni Kaspersky,
head of antivirus research at the lab, told Reuters that the biggest
potential weakness is Bluetooth – a short-range wireless technology common in
cell phones and PDAs – that is beginning to make its way into cars as a way to
transfer music and movies.
“I'm afraid
there is a risk in using a Bluetooth connection in cars,” Kaspersky said. “If
the smart phones and on-board computers have the same channel to transfer the
data … sooner or later the hackers will find the vulnerability in the operating
systems of on-board computers and … will definitely use it.”
Kaspersky was quick
to point out that no viruses have emerged in automobiles. However, he cautioned
that viruses like Cabir – a mobile phone virus that can be transferred over
Bluetooth and has spread to 20 different countries – is a prime example of how
wireless technology could invade our mobile lifestyles.
Despite the
researchers’ warnings, car manufacturers and antivirus software makers are
cautiously optimistic that vehicles will remain safe from widespread outbreaks
for the foreseeable future.
“The (auto
virus) market is still in the beginning,” Guido Sanchidrian, mobile virus
specialist for antivirus software maker Symantec, told CNN. “The threat
landscape is not there yet like it is in Windows.”
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