Does your automotive system need protected from malware?

According to Business Wire in the report "McAfee Report on Automotive Systems Finds Prevalent Lack of Security in Today’s Vehicles", it would seem that your vehicle could be susceptible.
The new report from McAfee examines risks associated with cybercriminal activity including:

• Remotely unlock and start car via cell phone
• Disable car remotely
• Track a driver’s location, activities and routines
• Steal personal data from a Bluetooth system
• Disrupt navigation systems
• Disable emergency assistance     

Most of the features that come in automobiles are supposed to be making the driving experience more palatable for driver, yet it is also opening vulnerabilities to the same systems that are supposed to help. Can you imagine how many cars that may be stolen if you can unlock and start the vehicle with a cell phone? While disabling a vehicle remotely may help the police recover your vehicle, what happens if this is done with vehicle in motion?

How many consumers are aware that these issues exist? What are the automobile manufacturers doing to secure these systems? What would really prove interesting is how your car would get its updates.

Reference: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110906007207/en/McAfee-Report-Automotive-Systems-Finds-Prevalent-Lack