Auto computer systems at risk of infection as viruses go mobile
Here's a new excuse for not getting to work on time on a Monday morning: My car caught a virus.
Car industry officials and analysts say hackers' growing interest in writing viruses for wireless devices puts auto computer systems at risk of infection.
As carmakers adjust on-board computers to allow consumers to transfer information with MP3 players and mobile phones, they also make their vehicles vulnerable to mobile viruses that jump between devices via the Bluetooth technology that connects them.
"I'm afraid there is a risk in using a Bluetooth connection in cars," said Yevgeni Kaspersky, head of antivirus research at closely held Russian firm Kaspersky Lab.
"If the smartphones 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," he added.
