Chances are, your new vehicle knows where and when you drive, how fast you went, how long you were there, who was with you, approximately how old you are, whether or not you wore a seat belt, or if you smoked in the vehicle. and much more. Other facts you wouldn’t share in a bar, even after a few beers.
Vehicles gather this personal information via GPS signals, sensors, cameras, microphones, infotainment systems and apps.
It’s not all bad. The software can be used to remotely diagnose vehicle problems, disable or enable other vehicle functions through subscriptions, and request assistance in an emergency, even if the driver is unable to do so.
The bad news is that much of this non-public knowledge can be sold to marketers and insurance corporations that you’d never hear of in your lifetime.
A recent study by Mozilla called cars “the worst product category ever tested in terms of privacy,” revealing that many popular car brands gather “more private information than necessary” and that most of them say they have the right to share or share information. Sell it with other parts. It refers to everything from your behavior to your media consumption behavior, to such intimate points as your private sexual tastes and even your genetic information.
Selling this data can also lead to greater vulnerability to attacks by criminals. Fraudsters use a wide arsenal of equipment to break into vehicle systems, and a successful attack can result in the theft of non-public information, the installation of malicious code, and attempts to obtain loans. your identity/money.
So, what to do? While it may be impossible to completely live off the auto grid, here are some suggestions for concerned motorists.
Many manuals include data on how consumers can turn off many, but not all, of the vehicle’s connectivity features. There’s rarely an “off” switch, so for the time being, you should take the time to disable, delete, clear caches. . . All of it.
Instead, install AAA or any roadside assistant you can subscribe to and leave it there until the day you have an apartment challenge or something. Worried you won’t be able to hear updates? Stay on top. Join online forums. Ask questions, get answers. Take a keen interest in the question of keeping your private data away from those who deserve not to see or exploit it.
As a Droid user, I never allow Android Auto in the press cars I evaluate. They don’t want to know how to touch my 103-year-old Aunt Miriam or the number of that guy I bought kettlebells for in Manhattan in 2011. .
Pair your phone with Bluetooth if you want and decline when the software asks for your address with an eBook and other information. It can take a bit of time and go round and round.
But once connected, you can pay attention to your own playlist and make and receive calls when needed (follow your state’s regulations for hands-free conversations).
If all else fails, don’t connect your phone to your car at all. There’s Sirius XM satellite radio or old, smart AM/FM.
Toyota from the 00s
If the vehicle you’re using was manufactured before 2010, it’s probably safe, although brands differ and it’s worth investigating how much software it contains.
This can be tedious work, but you can also focus on the component where you are said to be delivering data and not do it.
Marketwatch has a wonderful article on how meticulous automakers’ attempts are to get their information, and it also provides engaging statistics:
The back line? It’s a new day every day in the cyber world, and it’s vital to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and surveillance of not only your personal data that isn’t yours yet, but also to keep criminals at bay.