Growing up immersed in science fiction, the experience of driving an internet-connected car feels like stepping into the enchantment of the big (or small) screen. Regrettably, the realm of movies and television seldom delves into the real-life privacy concerns associated with smart cars. While these connected vehicles offer a myriad of amenities, they also amass, retain, transfer, and process copious amounts of personally identifiable information (PII). If you care about cybersecurity while traveling, you are on the right track. To date, the most effective way to counter automotive hacking is VPN.
What Data Does Your Machine Store?
For more than five years now, companies like Google have possessed the ability to manufacture self-driving cars. However, despite the convenience and safety benefits they offer, the inherent risks to our privacy have largely been ignored. While manufacturers and consumers have readily embraced touchscreen systems that connect with our phones, the potential harm to our privacy and online security is only now being realized. It is crucial to recognize these risks before connecting to your car’s smart system.
Consumers are always sought after by advertisers, longing for more information. They can better promote products when equipped with an accurate profile. It’s a major reason why companies like Google rake in billions. Google collects data on your ad clicks, web searches, and more, crafting a highly precise profile. Typically, this data focuses on online activities.
However, location data reveals details about your offline life, giving advertisers invaluable insights. Your residence, workplace, and shopping patterns are no longer solely your concern. Although you’d probably never willingly disclose all this information to advertisers, it’s priceless for accuracy. For instance, location data could uncover when you began visiting a new doctor, the drop-off point for your kids, your departure time for work, and the duration of your daily commute.
This wealth of information is readily available through your car’s smart information system. Given its value, it’s highly likely that advertisers could utilize it to refine your profile. Unless prioritized by consumers, car manufacturers won’t prioritize protecting your privacy. Hence, awareness of these risks is crucial.
How a VPN Enhances Cybersecurity While Traveling by Car?
Source: forbes.com
Your car cannot collect or jeopardize your privacy if there is no personal information for it to gather. That’s why it’s crucial to prioritize your privacy before connecting via Bluetooth. Anonymous data that cannot be traced back to you is of little value to third parties. If you can take simple steps to distance yourself from your information, we strongly recommend doing so. Using a VPN is one easy way to keep your information anonymous.
If you have a powerful VPN for Android in your arsenal, you can be safe when connected and no one will violate your privacy. We are talking about the best VPNs for Android that can protect against DNS leaks, revealing the real IP address and hacking encrypted data. One of these is the VeePN service, which takes all security measures to a whole new level.
When you connect through a VPN, your data gets encrypted before being sent to an anonymous VPN server. From there, it’s forwarded to the destination you’re trying to reach. This ensures that you don’t directly connect to a website or online service. Instead, all your data goes through the VPN server first. The server handles your request and interacts with the site on your behalf. Since the online service never directly deals with you, both your request and your identity remain private. The VPN then encrypts the data and sends it back to you.
This intermediation approach safeguards your privacy while providing swift access to the online services you rely on. Additionally, a VPN can help you bypass geographic restrictions or firewalls hindering access to specific information. To learn more about different VPNs and how they can enhance your privacy, check out our post on selecting the best VPN for your requirements.
Additional Vehicle Protection Measures
Source: carcility.com
If you’ve been longing for a smart car, there’s no need to give up on that dream. Just as you can take measures to ensure online safety, you can also take certain steps to safeguard yourself, your car, and your personal information. All you need is a free VPN download from a reliable provider. This is a key security measure, but not the only one.
Here are some actions you can take:
- Explore available options: Different smart car platforms offer consumers the ability to manage the data they share with their car manufacturer or auto insurer.
- Personalize your settings: Most applications and smartphones allow you to customize your privacy settings, enabling you to control what information is shared. For instance, you can choose to share your location only when the application is in use, or you can completely block location sharing.
- Use strong passwords: Aim to create unique, robust passwords for each application, consisting of at least 8-10 characters. Ensure that your passwords include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Keep your software up to date: Just like regularly updating your computer’s operating system, it’s crucial to promptly update your connected car software whenever new updates become available.
- Review privacy policies: Take the time to thoroughly read through privacy policies to familiarize yourself with your rights. Understand what data the applications collect and see if you have the option to opt out of third-party data sharing.
Conclusion
Although the world is becoming increasingly digital, individuals still have the ability to manage the information shared with companies, including those in the automotive sector. Connected car technology offers numerous advantages, such as cost savings and passenger entertainment. However, it is important to note that in order to enjoy these benefits, some information exchange is required. By understanding how to maintain anonymity online, such as through the use of a VPN, individuals can take proactive measures to control and safeguard their personal information.
