The Next Place Hackers Will Find You? Your Car.A study from Massachusetts Senator Edward J. Markey looks to illuminate what automobile companies are doing, or could be doing better, to prevent hack attacks on the open road.

ByNina Zipkin

Ford Motor Co.

Driving is already dangerous enough, especially in this season of winter storm warnings, but it turns out your car may contain more hidden hazards than you realize. The next frontier for hackers could be the wireless and Bluetooth tech used in your car, according to a report commissioned bythe office of Senator Edward Markey(D-Mass).

Thereport, calledTracking & Hacking: Security & Privacy Gaps Put American Drivers at Risk,found that nearly 100 percent of vehicles on the market come with wireless entry points or WEPs that could be a way in for hackers. Those WEPs include Wi-Fi keyless entries, remote starts, radio, and navigation and anti-theft systems.

Related:From Privacy to Connectivity, Bluetooth Is About to Get Some Serious Upgrades

Manufacturers collect information like fuel levels and tire pressure, as well as items like where the vehicle is parked, locations keyed into the GPS and how long the car stays parked at a destination are all recorded. They are often stored and sent to "third-party data centers" with varying degrees of security. When there are data collection policies, there is often not a clear-cut way, if at all, to opt out.

Most car manufacturers who were interviewed for the report "were unaware or unable to report on past hacking incidents." The ones that were able to respond offered varying solutions to how they would react to real-time hacking incidents.

Related:Companies Need to Take Responsibility for Protecting Sensitive User Data

For example, one company said it could disable the vulnerable features; another said that it could slow down and stop the hacked car if it was in motion and a third said similarly that it would remotely place the car in a "fail-safe mode."

Sen. Markey's office submitted queries about consumer security to 20 car manufacturers. The office says it did not hear from Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Tesla Motors, but did receive answers from BMW, Chrysler, Ford, MG, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Related:Smart Devices Are the Cause of Distracted Driving -- But They're Also the Solution

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business Ideas

These Retirees Just Wanted Their Cats to Drink More Water. Now Their Remote Side Hustle Makes $80,000 a Year.

This couple wanted to make and sell something from the comfort of their home. Now they're offering up their playbook for others.

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

企业家是不能过度指雷竞技手机版望太多a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.

Living

8 Things I Discovered While Working With Affluent Clients in New York City

After a decade working with the 1%, I learned that they have common traits.

Business News

Carnival Cruise Faces Backlash Over Handling of Missing Veteran Case

A 26-year-old former US Army veteran went missing nearly two weeks ago after a Carnival Cruise ship docked in the Port of Miami following a family vacation.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2023

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2023.

Devices

Light Up Your Space with More Than 16 Million Color Choices on This Floor Lamp for Only $70

This minimalist floor lamp can create a look or a mood that can easily be switched to something different.