HELSINKI, Finland (Reuters) -- Here's a new excuse for not getting to work on time on a Monday morning: My car caught a virus.
Car industry officials and analysts say hackers' growing interest in writing viruses for wireless devices puts auto computer systems at risk of infection.
As carmakers adjust on-board computers to allow consumers to transfer information with MP3 players and mobile phones, they also make their vehicles vulnerable to mobile viruses that jump between devices via the Bluetooth technology that connects them.
"I'm afraid there is a risk in using a Bluetooth connection in cars," said Yevgeni Kaspersky, head of antivirus research at closely held Russian firm Kaspersky Lab.
"If the smartphones and on-board computers have the same channel to transfer the data ... sooner or later the hackers will find the vulnerability in the operating systems of on-board computers and ... will definitely use it," he added.
The worst that could happen is that the computer's control of engine performance and emissions, navigation and entertainment systems cease to function. That would probably mean an annoying trip to the repair shop or having to reboot the system.
"I am very sure that you will be still able to drive your car on your own," said Symantec Corp's mobile virus specialist Guido Sanchidrian.
Companies so far have seen no reports of viruses in auto systems, and studies have shown it is not easy to transplant a virus into a car, but carmakers say they are taking the risk seriously.
"In principle it is possible to plant something (a virus), and we have been working for many years to resolve the problem," said a spokesman for German carmaker BMW .
German automotive supplier Siemens VDO and many other companies use systems that feature encryption to screen out unwanted programs and data, it said.
"If something like a virus comes along that should not be there, then an error message pops up or it is simply not accepted," said a spokeswoman for Siemens VDO.
She said studies have shown that, "You can't just send a virus and have the whole thing crash."
Finnish antivirus firm F-secure tried early mobile viruses on a Toyota Motor Corp. Prius model earlier this year but was not able to harm it.
As carmakers turn to computer security, a lucrative market could open for antivirus firms, which have been touting cell phone security for years without notable success.
Car industry officials and analysts say hackers' growing interest in writing viruses for wireless devices puts auto computer systems at risk of infection.
As carmakers adjust on-board computers to allow consumers to transfer information with MP3 players and mobile phones, they also make their vehicles vulnerable to mobile viruses that jump between devices via the Bluetooth technology that connects them.
"I'm afraid there is a risk in using a Bluetooth connection in cars," said Yevgeni Kaspersky, head of antivirus research at closely held Russian firm Kaspersky Lab.
"If the smartphones and on-board computers have the same channel to transfer the data ... sooner or later the hackers will find the vulnerability in the operating systems of on-board computers and ... will definitely use it," he added.
The worst that could happen is that the computer's control of engine performance and emissions, navigation and entertainment systems cease to function. That would probably mean an annoying trip to the repair shop or having to reboot the system.
"I am very sure that you will be still able to drive your car on your own," said Symantec Corp's mobile virus specialist Guido Sanchidrian.
Companies so far have seen no reports of viruses in auto systems, and studies have shown it is not easy to transplant a virus into a car, but carmakers say they are taking the risk seriously.
"In principle it is possible to plant something (a virus), and we have been working for many years to resolve the problem," said a spokesman for German carmaker BMW .
German automotive supplier Siemens VDO and many other companies use systems that feature encryption to screen out unwanted programs and data, it said.
"If something like a virus comes along that should not be there, then an error message pops up or it is simply not accepted," said a spokeswoman for Siemens VDO.
She said studies have shown that, "You can't just send a virus and have the whole thing crash."
Finnish antivirus firm F-secure tried early mobile viruses on a Toyota Motor Corp. Prius model earlier this year but was not able to harm it.
As carmakers turn to computer security, a lucrative market could open for antivirus firms, which have been touting cell phone security for years without notable success.
![[screwy]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_screwy.gif "Screwy [screwy]"){kind=icon}
![[hihi]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_hihi.gif "Hi Hi [hihi]"){kind=icon}
it would make forced induction easy. wouldn't even have to buy a standalone engine management system!