What do you think about a car as a large mobile device? It can be personalized, although changing colors are a bit more difficult. It can be built with a mobile phone, handles mp3, plays DVDs, and navigation via GPS. Cars are now starting to provide bluetooth connections, and even the 2005 Audi A4 even has a 2 SD slots behind the navigation system to play your mp3s.
So with all the extensions, controls, and sensors, why are we not protecting it? In a recent Reuters article, car makers are starting to get concerned about the car “catching a cold” or a software virus. What if the radio was disabled? Fuel gauge has an incorrect readout? Could you blame a speeding ticket on the car because it had a “speedometer virus?” It just goes to show that even things we use everyday, are electronic, use software, and are becoming connected. The BMW iDrive uses Microsoft software as the underlying OS. I could forsee in the near future you download driver and software updates for each component of your car via the Bluetooth, or cellular phone connection, maybe even the satellite radio (XM or Sirius) connection?
Maybe when we wash our cars, we could apply a coating of protectant against bugs and viruses.
Somehow I think Symantec and McAfee are exploring the possibilities of moving into the automotive industry.
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