Analysts Warn Wireless Car Software Raises Cybersecurity Risks for Automakers

Growing use of over-the-air updates exposes vehicles to new hacking threats, industry watchers say

The auto industry's expanding use of over-the-air software technology is making vehicles more vulnerable to cyberattacks, analysts told CNBC.

Over-the-air systems, which allow automakers to remotely update vehicle software much like a smartphone update, have become a selling point for manufacturers touting improved features and convenience. But the same connectivity that enables those updates also creates new entry points that hackers could potentially exploit, according to the analysts.

As cars increasingly function as connected computers on wheels, with software controlling everything from entertainment systems to safety features, the stakes of a security breach grow accordingly. Automakers have leaned into over-the-air capability as a way to cut costs on recalls and keep vehicles current without requiring dealership visits.

The warning adds to a broader conversation about cybersecurity in the automotive sector, as manufacturers balance the competitive advantages of connected technology against the risks of exposing vehicles — and the personal data and safety systems they carry — to remote attacks.

— Compiled from reporting by CNBC.