Blogs -How Driverless Cars will put Mobile Security to the Test?

How Driverless Cars will put Mobile Security to the Test?


February 28, 2018

author

Beth Kindig

Lead Tech Analyst

As GM CEO Mary Barra said in a keynote speech, “A cyber incident is a problem for every automaker in the world. It is a matter of public safety.” As Tesla, GM and many others continue to release connected vehicles – and soon driverless vehicles, the dangers are set to increase. In fact, more than half of the vehicles sold today are connected and vulnerable.

By 2025, the driverless market will be worth $42 billion up from nearly nothing with an official market entry still being anticipated [1]. Self-driving cars have the potential to save 292,000 lives annually from preventing collisions. This is in addition to the added benefits of reducing traffic and climate change, along with the costs of car ownership.

While gaining access to, and being able to control or steal a vehicle such as a Tesla is disturbing enough, it raises several concerns about not only connected cars, but also the mobile applications that extend the features of these vehicles. In fact, mobile apps are quickly becoming the main target for malicious behavior. Over the last four years, there has been a 188 percent increase in the number of Android vulnerabilities and a 262 percent increase in the number of iOS vulnerabilities. In addition, according to Gartner, 75 percent of mobile apps would fail basic security tests.

In another report, more than 80 percent of mobile apps on both the Android and iOS platforms revealed cryptographic implementation issues. Recently, Android malware has become more stealth and has begun to obfuscate code to bypass signature-based security software. Despite Google’s response to critical vulnerabilities and patches of critical issues in the Android OS, end users are still dependent on device manufacturers for these updates.

Driverless Car Security Infographic:

Driverless Car Security Infographic

The main source of security and data breaches are found in hacking, malware and social engineering [2].

There are four major attack clusters in the automotive sector:

  • Direct physical attack: Cars can be breached through the OBDII port and/or while in for maintenance or lent to other drivers.
  • Indirect physical attack: A carrier is used to compromise the vehicle such as a USB stick, SD card, or through a software patch.
  • Wireless attacks: Bluetooth and mobile networks including the current development of iOS and Android apps open up the vehicle to an abundant variety of attacks.
  • Sensor fooling: As of yet, there are no known hacks documented that indicate you can take over a car by fooling the sensors alone.

Consumers are becoming more aware of the dangers around connectivity with 62% saying they are concerned that connected cars will become easily hacked in the future and 48% saying data privacy and security are extremely important. Executives of car manufacturers are also aware of the heightened concern with 52% rating data security and privacy as being of upmost importance to their customers [3].

While the path towards better cyber security for connected cars is a multi-actor road map, auto manufacturers who take the lead will be improving the security of their own brand and product will also improve the safety of their customer.

head bg

More To Explore

Newsletter

a futuristic crystal ball displaying Nvidia with digital circuit patterns and stock market graphics.

Nvidia Stock Forecast: The Path to $6 Trillion

Two years ago, the April 2023 quarter delivered a historic 18% beat, followed by an even bigger 30% beat in July 2023. Compare that to the most recent quarter ending July 2025 — just a 4% beat, the sm

September 05, 2025
A close-up, low-angle shot of a physical Bitcoin coin surrounded by a glowing, intricate circuit board.

Bitcoin Bull Market Guide: When to Hold, Trim, or Re-Enter (Webinar) 

Our track record including a more recent 600% move in Bitcoin is not the product of hype but of a systematic framework—one built on technical analysis, on-chain metrics, and a close watch on global li

August 28, 2025
A smartphone with the Reddit app open, from which a rising stock chart graph is emerging.

Reddit Stock Blows the Doors Off - Can it Last?

Reddit’s stock has surged 62% in one month, easily placing the company’s earnings report as one of the best to come out of the tech sector this quarter. The world’s leading forum site has only 416 mil

August 20, 2025
Orange toolbox labeled 'ServiceNow' with digital interface displaying AI and data analytics dashboard, surrounded by various tools.

ServiceNow Q2 Earnings: Inside the AI Push Toward $1 Billion ACV by 2026

Last month, after ServiceNow reported second quarter results that exceeded expectations on multiple fronts, shares of NOW rose by 6%. The company is attempting to reposition itself beyond a provider o

August 14, 2025
Silhouette of a bull in front of a glowing Bitcoin coin, symbolizing a cryptocurrency bull run with potential market risks.

Is Bitcoin’s Bull Run Nearing a Top? What the Herd Missed at $16,000 and is Missing Now 

In late 2022, when Bitcoin was trading near $16,000, the I/O Fund issued a Strong Buy Alert. At the time, many of the market’s biggest crypto bulls were silent. Fast forward to today, Bitcoin is up ov

August 08, 2025
S&P 500 market forecast showing potential correction signs and key buy levels for 2025, based on technical analysis and investor sentiment trends.

Is the S&P 500 Overdue for a Correction? 2025 Forecast & Buy Levels to Watch

In our last Broad Market Report titled, Historic Uncertainty Meets $7 Trillion Dollar Debt Wall: What Comes Next For The S&P 500, the S&P 500 was trading near 5800 and still well below its February hi

August 01, 2025
A puzzle visually depicting different tech platforms and investments influencing search market share

Google Stock Clears Major Hurdle, Yet One Serious Concern Remains

This week, Google cleared a major hurdle with Search accelerating from 10 points of growth last quarter to 12 points this quarter -- putting to rest many doubts that Search monetization is at risk giv

July 27, 2025
Oracle stock forecast exploring potential to reach $1 trillion valuation as AI demand grows

Can Oracle Become the Next $1 Trillion AI Stock?

When it comes to AI cloud leaders, Oracle is not often mentioned, yet the company is quickly positioning itself to lead among Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet when it comes to cloud growth over the next

July 18, 2025
Robinhood crypto trading volume vs. transaction revenue Q2 2025

Robinhood Stock: Spot Crypto Volumes May Lead to Incoming Volatility

Robinhood’s fundamental transformation over the past two years has been nothing short of remarkable. Crypto is driving strong revenue growth at 50% YoY in Q1, while TTM operating margin is approaching

July 11, 2025
Beth Kindig, Lead Tech Analyst at I/O Fund, interviewed on Fox Business discussing Nvidia’s earnings beat and solid guidance.

AI Stocks in 2025: What Every Investor Should Know

The market evolves quickly, and nowhere is that more apparent than in AI stocks, which continue to lead in both innovation and returns. At the I/O Fund, our deep coverage of AI stocks, combined with a

July 03, 2025
newsletter

Sign up for Analysis on
the Best Tech Stocks

https://bethtechnology.cdn.prismic.io/bethtechnology/e0a8f1ff-95b9-432c-a819-369b491ce051_Logo_Final_Transparent_IOFUND.svg
The I/O Fund specializes in tech growth stocks and offers in-depth research for Premium Members. Investors get access to a transparent portfolio, a forum, webinars, and real-time trade notifications. Sign up for Premium.

We are on social networks


Copyright © 2010 - 2025