Abstract
From an Information technology perspective a smart car connected online to a wireless network is just another mobile device, not different from a 3rd generation cellular phone or a portable computer connected to the net through a wireless modem. As a wireless computerized device it comes with a package of security weaknesses, including (but not limited to) bugs, crashes, malware and network attacks. Every computer and every software program suffers from crashes and bugs. It is almost a force of nature, there is at least one documented event of a battleship that was paralyzed for days due to a software bug, and it is easy to imagine what it can cause to a computerized vehicle. Malware refers to any software code written with the aim of degrading or subverting the normal operation of a computer system, it is more widely known by its different types, computer virus, software worm, Trojan horse etc. Malware has become a threat to the well being of everyone in the world. It is a weapon used successfully by terrorists and alien governments for espionage and sabotage. Last but not least are wireless network attacks for example, Interception of wireless traffic and Denial of Service. Wireless connectivity opened up a whole new wonderful world to hackers because of the ease of access. Opening the gate to the transportation infrastructure for such vulnerabilities is a huge risk that should be thoroughly understood and seriously considered. Unfortunately Software crashes, computer bugs, malware and network attacks are all a part of the new vocabulary car users, car designers and transportation decision makers have to adopt.
Keywords: Smart car, Wireless device, Bug, Malware, Network attack.