Hackers have been demonstrating for years that vehicles are just as susceptible to hacking as any other electronic gadget yet it wasn’t until the recent hack of a Jeep Cherokee’s infotainment system and Chrysler’s subsequent recall that people started to take notice.

According to Kelley Blue Book’s recent Vehicle Hacking Vulnerability Survey, 72 percent of respondents said they were aware of the Jeep hack in question while 41 percent said the incident will be of consideration when buying or leasing their next vehicle.

But just how big of a problem could vehicle hacking pose?

The survey found that a third of those questioned see vehicle hacking as a serious problem while 78 percent believe it will be a frequent problem over the next three years. Much like PC hacking, most believe vehicle vulnerabilities will become a permanent fixture moving forward with an overwhelming majority – 81 percent – citing vehicle manufacturers are most responsible for securing a vehicle from hacking.

Given the recent Chrysler recall, it’s little surprise that those surveyed felt the automaker’s vehicles were most susceptible to hacking (70 percent). General Motors was ranked as the second most susceptible in the eyes of survey-takers at 47 percent followed by Ford with 30 percent.

Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book, said cyber-security is still a relatively new area of specialization for automakers but it’s one they need to take seriously to ensure they are ahead of the curve.

via Jeep hacking raises fears over vehicle vulnerabilities – TechSpot.