Skip advert
Advertisement

Used car security questioned over former owners' app connections

Manufacturers have no way to disconnect cars' apps from former owners who can track their old cars, a computer security expert has warned

Used car buyers can have their cars tracked by former owners who fail to disconnect their smartphones from applications in cars, a computer security researcher has warned.

IBM researcher, Charles Henderson, has called on carmakers to do a better job of protecting new owners after he found he was still connected to his old car after a year of selling it.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Henderson said that even though he deleted all personal details in the car before selling it on, it remained linked with his phone, allowing him to track its details.

He argued that manufacturers have no way to disconnect the car's apps from former owners. “The car is really smart but it’s not smart enough to know who its owner is, so it’s not smart enough to know it’s been re-sold.”

Auto Express previously highlighted similar issues with a number of other owners. A Land Rover Discovery Sport owner who sold his car privately was able to continue accessing the car’s InControl app even though the new owner was now on the other side of the country. He could still find out the car's location, and worryingly whether or not it was locked.

Car dealers warned to tighten up cyber security to KO hackers

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Another second-hand owner contacted Auto Express over saved addresses on his Honda CR-V's sat-nav. They had bought the car from a “famous celebrity’s wife” but were stunned to see all previous sat-nav destinations were stored in the car’s system.

Both Land Rover and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders told Auto Express that while manufacturers are able to remove owners’ details from cars (but not necessarily disconnect them from the apps), it’s the user’s responsibility to remove their old vehicle from their account after selling it.

• Car hacking: study shows over 100 models at risk

The news comes after cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab found security issues with seven Android apps for cars. For now the company has not named the apps, but said they lacked the most basic software defences to protect drivers from having their details stolen.

The company said hackers could use any of the seven apps to locate a car, unlock it and even in some instances start the car. Viktor Chebyshev, Kaspersky researcher said: “Why don’t connected car application developers care about security as much as the developers of banking applications? They are also controlling very valuable things for the user, but they’re not thinking about security mechanisms.” 

Do you use car apps regularly? Tell us in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants
Finance contract, car key and calculator on desk

Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants

Scandal involving car finance commission could see motorists entitled to billions of pounds in payouts
News
19 Dec 2024
Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns
Emissions tests questioned

Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns

The DfT is currently investigating as many as 47 models across several brands that are suspected to use diesel defeat devices
News
14 Nov 2024
MoT failure rate is worse for vans than cars
MOT

MoT failure rate is worse for vans than cars

More than a third of light commercials failed their first MoT last year, new figures show
News
12 Nov 2024
Paris mayor says ‘non’ to through traffic with plans to fine drivers
Renault Zoe being driven in Paris

Paris mayor says ‘non’ to through traffic with plans to fine drivers

Drivers entering Paris city centre will have to prove residency or a valid destination to avoid a fine
News
5 Nov 2024

Most Popular

Driver whose towbar voided his insurance wins payout
Towbar

Driver whose towbar voided his insurance wins payout

Allianz tells Auto Express it was ‘right in principle’, but has agreed to cover the claim in full
News
20 Dec 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Retro Renault 5 for just £182 a month at 0 per cent APR
Renault 5 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Retro Renault 5 for just £182 a month at 0 per cent APR

The Renault 5 is back and it isn’t as expensive as you might have expected. It’s our Deal of the Day for 23 December
News
23 Dec 2024
Kia Sportage alternatives: cars you could buy instead of this family favourite
Kia Sportage alternatives - header image

Kia Sportage alternatives: cars you could buy instead of this family favourite

Kia’s multi-award winning SUV is the apple of plenty of families’ eyes, but it might not be for everyone. We’ve searched high and low to find some tal…
Features
21 Dec 2024