If you haven’t heard yet, everything in modern life has gone “smart.” From the appliances in your home, all the devices you use at work, jewelry that you wear on your person to the car you drive, they all have computers running in them and perform miraculous functions all day long.
With the power and connectivity of twenty computers running under the hood, today’s cars are more versatile than ever but at a price. A connection to the internet that helps you navigate, provides entertainment, improves safety and allows you to access your data while driving also carries with it, extreme vulnerability combined with the possible loss of privacy and security.
What Type of Data Do Smart Cars Collect?
Shockingly, one smart vehicle collects and uploads about 25GB of data per hour. We have all heard of big data, and that one item is a considerable contribution. A lot of the data that smart cars collect and feed back to the manufacturer is maintenance related to watch out for wear and tear, malfunctions and errors.
Perhaps more alarming is all the data collected from the GPS about your every stop and whereabouts during a typical day. If you are concerned about privacy, this might bother you.
Other types of data collected are road conditions, your driving behavior and response times, your speed, traffic congestion and even your use of onboard accessories like the entertainment system. All of this information is collected through sensors, cameras, GPS, LIDAR, and other cutting-edge technology. Not all data collected is a bad thing. Some aggregate data collected on groups of similar cars can actually help car makers improve their designs and process by monitoring safety features and response times of the vehicle.
The data collected fall into two categories, sensitive and non-sensitive data.
Sensitive vs. Non-Sensitive Data
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) defines non-sensitive data as non-identifiable information about a specific car such as how it handles in various traffic or weather conditions. The FTC defines sensitive data as personal information that can be used to identify the individual such as GPS location or images collected by onboard cameras. If a smart car sends back vehicle information by vin, that too would be considered sensitive data that could be used to identify the driver. Identifying the driver can be done here.
Even more concerning is the data that can be accessed from your Bluetooth connected mobile devices. Cell phones contain a wealth of personal information which may be at risk when connected to your smart car. Thankfully, the Safely Ensuring Lives Future Development and Research in Vehicle Development (SELF DRIVE) Act passed in 2017 requires smart car manufacturers to develop solid cybersecurity plans to protect the privacy and security of car owners.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Data
While you wait for car manufacturers to catch up and institute measures to protect you and your data, there are things you can do to secure your data.
Wipe the Slate Clean on GPS
The most vulnerable data is probably your GPS and location information. Routinely wipe the slate clean and delete all your previous history data, including visits to your home. A valet could easily look up your home address by visiting your GPS history. We’ve all seen that movie.
When programming in GPS coordinates, use vague locations “near” where you are going instead of the exact address. This way if any GPS data is transmitted and intercepted the hacker won’t know exactly where you are located.
Lock Mobile Devices When Connected
If you connect your mobile device to the car, be sure it has virus protection and is locked so that if someone were to hack your car’s software, they couldn’t easily piggyback onto your cell phone and steal even more data.
Install Firmware Updates When Prompted to Do So
Just like any computer, the firmware on your vehicle may need updating. If you are prompted to update any built-in device, do so as soon as possible. Often software engineers shore up security protocols through patches and updates.
Know the Technology in Your Vehicle and What is Being Collected
The best way to know what could be vulnerable is to research your car and find out what type of technology it runs and what data is being collected. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; call the manufacturer directly to inquire because smart cars can also be potential lemons.
The more you know about your smart car and how it works, the better you will feel about your privacy and security. Knowledge is power and security is knowing.