Here are 9 real facts about car radio hacking. We have explained what happens if someone hacks the radio and the methods used for hacking.

Can a car radio be hacked? Yes, a car radio can be hacked by using frequency jammers, adding devices in radio port, and car. Hackers can control the volume, GPS, time, Bluetooth, and attached accessories.

There is a protection threat to cars nowadays, which is hacking through car radios. Everything inside can be hacked, including the vehicle itself. The advanced features in the vehicle are of benefit and as well as danger.

Can a car radio be hacked?

In this article, we have explained different methods used nowadays for hacking car radio and how they do it. Along with this, we have added features that can be controlled by these experts.

Extra code in music

It is done by adding extra codes in the previous codes of music inside the gadget. The whole process is carried out by reading the codes on a laptop or other such device.

The cyber attackers manipulate the previous signals and make significant changes. Ultimately, the owner loses complete control over the equipment, and the vehicle becomes automatic.

The addition of extra codes can also attack other applications like browsing and wireless connection. It can transfer a virus to the car stereo.

It creates a frightening environment for the passengers and owners as someone else is controlling the steering. You can play Spotify on your car stereo but you should follow the guidelines.

Controlled air signals

Sometimes the head unit starts working abnormally all of a sudden. It’s a dysfunctionality of the car radio.

The volume gets exceptionally high, and channels start changing by them. The drive feels helpless because he cannot change the stations and cannot switch off the gadget.

The device becomes automatic and functions according to its own will. This type of changes and abnormalities shows that they have overcome your gadget.

In this way, they can manipulate the audio waves and their signals and control them by sitting far away from the device and vehicle.

The driver tries to switch off the radio, but he cannot do so because he does not control the system anymore.

This type of attack can be for the abduction of the vehicle from the owner, or it is another tactic.

Hackers change the time on the radio

By accessing the system of your automobile, it becomes effortless for anyone to make changes. The changes can be small, but they are significant in alterations.

They can change the time settings of the device. This change leads to abnormal functioning of the equipment. The stations start changing automatically.

By changing the time settings, they can access the signals and channels as well. It will work in a different time zone after being in control.

If the hackers want to change the time setting on your car stereo, he needs to access your automobile. Double Din head unit is better than a single Din with many additional features.

Changing music pattern

Music has its patterns, and it has certified signals. These are approached by adding the decoding of the music of the stereo.

They get complete control over all the patterns of music. The songs played by themselves, and the sound become uncontrollable.

Suddenly, the sound starts playing loud, and you do not feel able to switch it off, which means the music has been hacked.

This is a frightening situation because someone else is controlling your vehicle. The case can be for snatching the vehicle from the owner, which is a total loss. If you are playing video on the car screen, they can also modify it.

Mp3 changes

Music, which is downloaded from malware or other such sites, is more vulnerable to hacking than others. This music is in their access, which they use the most.

Through the encrypted codes, they invade the entire device. They get access to other systems or applications by getting into the music system.

It creates a sense of harassment, and most people lose their equipment in such situations. You can avoid this by not downloading malware music. You can play WMA files on your car stereo.

Changing GPS

They can access the head unit and the whole vehicle by controlling the GPS. This is so strong that they break the GPS signals, which are not typical.

They can change your direction, and no one can locate that easily. In this way, the driver and passenger start feeling helpless.

This trapping procedure can change the destination setting. Check your GPS settings before leaving your site. The duration of playing the radio on a car battery will also decrease.

Bluetooth and internet manipulation

Modern vehicles have facilities of Bluetooth and the internet inside the head unit.

This type of system provides the facility of air phones for safe driving during phone calls. Moreover, you can hear the music of your mobile phone on the audio device. The connection shows that both the mobile and device is connected.

The connectivity can be with internet access. Cyberbullies access the navigations, phone calls, entertainment channels, and Bluetooth and wireless hotspots.

The IP address gives them access to your vehicle from anywhere, far away. You can avoid this by disconnecting the Bluetooth and removing any internet connection while driving.

Hacking radio controls

The new ones have sensors, and some even do not contain the remote, but old models have them. The remotes regulate everything inside the gadget, either its music channels or stations.

These types of devices are open to cyber-attacks. Hackers’ change the signals of the remote by changing the remote itself. Some of them replace the remote with the same remote control.

You cannot differentiate between both devices, and ultimately it gets hacked. They can control the system and the whole vehicle by sitting at home with your remote control.

The entry of the system without any keys and codes makes it easier for the bullies. They decode and intercept the signals sent by the owner and take control over them.

How is car radio hacked?

Car stereo systems have many cables, some of them are hidden, and few are apparent. They make specific changes in the cables by replacing them with other cables. Sometimes they change their positions and attach their functions with their devices.

For this process, the cyber attacker needs to get to your vehicle, always protect it by keys and locks. Wi-Fi radio hacking

Frequency jammers

Some companies use frequency jammers for restricting the signals. This procedure is carried out for a certain period according to the rules of the companies.

They use them for accessing the sound system by jamming their frequencies. They get complete control over the device.

A cyber attacker controls these signals by sitting at their place. All the music channels and FM stations stop working. However, a car stereo can work with an antenna.

The owner feels helpless in using the internet connection of the device. The jammers can be directly attached to the vehicle if they can reach it.

The hard drive on the computer

They can attack the device by hardware on their computers. They attack the signals of the radio and control them automatically.

The system stops working of works according to the commands of these experts. They connect their computer hardware to the computer of the vehicle. Ultimately the whole system becomes controlled by them.

Hacking of radio port

Mostly when you consult a mechanic, they connect a computer to the port of your vehicle.

This connection is for the connectivity and link between the computer system and external systems. The mechanic uses a sort of cable to attach both devices. Anyone can access these ports by Bluetooth or any other software.

There are some accessible ports, but they find them more vulnerable to attack. They control the remote server of the head unit and make the vehicle automatic.

You can avoid all of this stuff by not connecting the ports with non-trustworthy devices and systems.