Carmaker Fiat Chrysler recently announced that it will recall more than 1.4 million of its cars within the United States. The recall was made after a hacking experiment showed that some of the company's cars are prone to software intrusion.
According to Reuters, the recall was made in order to install or update the software embedded in each car. This is to make sure that the cars are secured and also to prevent hackers from remotely controlling the vehicle by deploying viruses into its computer system.
Many car manufacturers as well as car owners were shocked after a hacking experiment from two cybersecurity researchers proved that the Jeep Cherokee can be hijacked remotely through a series of complicated hacking strategies. The researchers show that the car can be remotely accessed by a hacker and can take full control of its steering and engine which poses a significant threat to the safety of its drivers.
The researchers were able to control the Jeep Cherokee via its telematics and infotainment system which is installed into almost every car manufactured by Fiat Chrysler. Regarding the hack, the company said that it "required unique and extensive technical knowledge, prolonged physical access to a subject and extended periods of time to write the code."
The company said that hackers who exploit the weakness of their cars computer system may face criminal liabilities.
The recall will include 2013-2015 Dodge Viper specialty vehicles; 2013-2015 Dodge Ram 3500, 2500, 1500 pickups; 2015 Dodge Challenger sports coupes; 2015 Chrysler 300 and Chrysler 200; 2014-2015 Dodge Durango; 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and its SUV's.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Fiat Chrysler claim that affected vehicles do not have safety problems and the recall is made as a precaution. The company added that it has already created a special team that will focus in fixing the software problems as well as develop new means of protecting its vehicles from hackers.