Today’s smart cars are like computers on wheels, and we can expect the same level of future upgrades. The cars of the future will also have the ability to talk to each other and to the dealership for diagnostics. And here lies the problem. Computers can get hacked. In this article, we’ll be talking about the top 5 cyber threats Smart Cars face and how to keep your car safe.

Top 5 Threats for Smart Cars

The computer in a smart car is like any computer. It has an operating system that acts as the brain that controls everything. But no matter how robust a system is, it still has vulnerabilities that a cybercriminal can exploit. Criminals can bypass a smart car’s systems in plenty of ways:

Threat 1: Remote Hacking

All you need to do is take a look at the Jeep Cherokee hack done by researchers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek. Back in 2015, the duo was able to gain access to the Jeep’s systems that controlled the brakes and engines just by knowing the car’s public IP address. Trend Micro disclosed a vulnerability in an app used by the Nissan Leaf. The exploit gives anyone with an internet connection control over some of the car’s functions. All you need is the car’s VIN number to authenticate a session and gain control of the vehicle. A VIN search is effortless to do these days, as car makers often place them on the windshield or somewhere on the body.

Threat 2: Installation of Infected Apps

One of the weakest links in a smart car is the infotainment system. The Jeep Cherokee hack in 2015 used the car’s own entertainment system to gain access to the onboard computer. A similar yet more sophisticated attack could come from installing an infected app. All a hacker needs to do is get users to install an app with malicious code to gain access to the car’s entire system. Apps laced with malware run rampant in unofficial app stores for Android and iOS.

Threat 3: Third-party Backend Exploit

Hackers can gain access if a smart car manufacturer uses a third-party backend service for data gathering or cloud services. 

Threat 4: Installing Illegal Diagnostic Firmware

Another way a hacker can gain access to a car’s computer system is when the owners try to save money. There are services and tools online that allow owners to run their own diagnostics or reset the car’s mileage. Hackers can piggy-back a trojan into the illegal firmware and gain remote access to a car’s system.

Threat 5: Physical Hacking

All a cybercriminal needs to do is insert an infected USB. The USB can contain anything, from malware that can steal information to a trojan that allows backdoor access to the entire system. Researcher Stephen Savage broke into a car in 18 seconds by using a CD that had .WMA songs laced with malware.

Safety Measures

Much like protecting your PC or phone, you must have strict safety measures in place, so your smart car doesn’t get hacked.

• Only use official apps from legit sources – if it’s not from Google Play or the Apple App store, don’t install it.
• Don’t install any aftermarket accessories and illegal firmware.
• Update your car’s firmware regularly – updates and patches are there for a reason. Only download official firmware updates from the manufacturer.
• Install an antivirus that can scan mobile apps – most mobile antivirus programs can scan for malware and PUA’s.
• Always check for any signs of physical tampering – especially when you just got your car serviced. It’s the smart car age but still a lot of cars are manufactured as lemons.

As technologically advanced as smart cars are, the reality is that hackers are just a public IP address or rogue app away from taking control. Taking the necessary precautions and reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities is the only way to go.

Stay safe everyone.

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Overlooking some of the best marketing practices is how many small businesses meet their demise within the first few years. But establishing a strong marketing plan and maintaining an expert online presence can help to weather the inevitable slow growth periods that will happen during a business’s life. Here, we’ve narrowed down four of the main areas of marketing that business owners should be focusing on:

Branding

Before the first dollar is made, the first ad is released or web page is written, small businesses have to focus on their brand and developing the public’s opinion of them. Clients can be disloyal, and many don’t understand the impact of their dollars spent with small, local businesses.

Unless you are offering a service or product that absolutely no one else does, you must set yourself apart from the others. Details as simple as logo colors and fonts can cause potential customers to develop an opinion of your businesses before they even consider buying from you, so make sure you’re brand is conveying the image you want them to see from the first impression.

Consumer Research

Many businesses fail to research where their target market really is located and learn anything more about them other than the fact they may need their product or service. Consumer research can actually be conducted rather inexpensively through public records such as those provided by many online websites.

Searching public records can give small businesses an idea of the income of potential customers, median home values and other demographics that can help to set price margins. Brick-and-mortar stores can learn more about hours that may appeal more to local shoppers, or even help to narrow products that their customer base should actually be interested in purchasing.

Looking at long-standing small businesses in the area can also lend clues to what local customers want from their local merchants. Whether it’s value, personal attention or unique offerings that keep them coming around, each community is different and often wants small businesses to succeed if they’re getting what they want from them.

Web Development

Too many small businesses rely on word of mouth and fail to see the important part that a website can play in business growth and development. A proper website will help to direct customers locally, and can feature products and services that the local audience will appreciate. Utilizing the power of the web can also help small businesses gain a larger reach to customers not actually located in their area.

Google Analytics will tell small business owners what is working and what isn’t, how many people found their business that month, and even how many were converted to actual customers if a product is being sold.

Building The Client Relationship

Clients want to feel connected to the small businesses they frequent. Utilizing social media accounts can not only gain more fans and customers, but can help to feature products that can then be shared with others. Events that your small business is involved in can also create a buzz via social media and encourage potential customers to start paying attention to you.

Even regular customers need a constant reminder of who they like to do business with and need visual cues to remember to frequent these businesses. There are so many buying options for customers today. Small businesses want to make sure they’re the ones gaining the business by constantly promoting and letting customers get to know them and the owners a little better. Regular status updates, educational videos about products, photographs and even links to blog entries can all help gain a larger following and secure the hold on current fans.

Revisiting Market Strategy Regularly

Client bases and target markets change frequently for a variety of reasons with small businesses, so it’s important to reevaluate your methods on a regular basis. Goals and strategies should be outlined at least once a year, and more preferably at least every six months. Staying on top of the current market trends, new marketing opportunities, and learning what does and doesn’t work for your business is the only way to stay ahead of the game and outlast competitors.

Maintaining a constant good marketing practice of updating profiles, offerings and what’s happening at your small business will help make your target base feel included in the growth and development of your company. Most customers want to see small businesses thrive and prefer to do business with them, but what they lack in budget and manpower will need to be made up for with individual attention and updated marketing strategies.

The post Small Business Marketing Tips That Are Often Overlooked appeared first on SiteProNews.