As for the security concerns, one expert expressed sentiments similar to Markey's.' Automobiles have become increasingly more connected, creating both opportunities as well as vulnerabilities, through wireless networks,' credit security expert Adam Levin, chairman and founder of IDT911, told ABC News today.Though Markey and Levin didn't cite actual incidents, here are some things that hackers could do potentially with access to your car and its information:1. Car movementIn a 2013 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) study cited by Markey, researchers used a laptop to see how they could control two cars from different manufacturers.
They were able to cause the cars to 'suddenly accelerate, kill the brakes, activate the horn' and more, according to the report.Levin said the frightening scenarios of thieves stealing property or exposing drivers and their children to carjacking by unlocking car doors or imprisoning them by locking the doors are within reach. He adds that exposing drivers to accidents is another malicious activity that could happen. Image Source/Getty Images Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts released a report on Feb. 9, 2015: 'Tracking and Hacking: Security & Privacy Gaps Put American Drivers at Risk.'
Modify car indicatorsIn the same 2013 DARPA study, the researchers could also modify the speedometer and gas gauge readings and control the headlights. Last year, the same researchers analyzed the 'hackability' of 21 different car models from 10 manufacturers and found varying levels of security for each car with respect to wireless entry points.Of the 16 car makers that responded to Markey’s letter, 14 provided the percentage of 2013 model year cars that have wireless entry points and projections for their 2014 vehicles.
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Eleven of those 14 said 100 percent of their cars have wireless entry points and some cited the federal mandate for tire pressure monitoring systems as the major contributor.3. Reading dataWhile car manufacturers sometimes collect data from vehicle technologies to improve safety or the customer experience, others could access driver data for malicious purposes, the report states. The report mentions previous research that shows one can 'remotely and wireless access a vehicle's network through Bluetooth connections, OnStar systems, in a synced smartphone, or a malicious file on a CD in the stereo.'
'While I understand that vehicle manufacturers have begun the process of exchanging threat assessments and are communicating more with transportation safety officials, it is critical that we treat this matter with urgency,' Levin told ABC News. Gaspr13/Getty Images A man adjust the volume of a car stereo in this stock image.4. Finding a driver's locationMarkey refers to the increasing use of navigation or other technologies that could be used to record someone's location or driving history.' A number of new services have emerged that permit the collection of a wide range of user data, providing valuable information not just to improve vehicle performance, but also potentially for commercial and law enforcement purposes,' the report states.5.
Disabling a carCar dealerships and navigation systems providers also use 'remote disabling' to track and disable cars if drivers fall behind on payments, or if cars are stolen.Millions of these devices are on the road, including the, accused last year of kidnapping Carlesha Freeland-Gaither of Philadelphia.Corinne Kirkendall, vice president of compliance and public relations for PassTime, told ABC News in November that the company requires dealers to obtain written consent from drivers acknowledging that the device is on the car and how it is used.