Torque Shop: Locking and unlocking your car with a smartphone app is safe
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It is increasingly common for car apps to serve as a key to unlock the doors and start the engine.
PHOTO: ST FILE
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Is it secure to use the smartphone app to unlock and start cars? Such features are becoming more common, not just for Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).
If you are comfortable using banking apps on your smartphone, there is little reason for apprehension when it comes to controlling your car through a mobile app.
A number of car brands offer such smartphone apps. Not only do they facilitate locking and unlocking of the doors and boot, but they can also open and close windows, start the engine, switch on the air-conditioning and locate the car.
The apps for many EVs, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5, provide real-time data on state-of-charge, estimated the remaining range gained during charging and how much power is going into the EV.
Recently, some of these car apps can handle some degree of remote control, such as for parking, getting out of tight spaces and driving the car for a short distance or at crawling speed.
Such apps incorporate a high level of both hardware and software security to prevent interception or infiltration and control by hackers, who may want to steal a car or just take over it for a thrill.
Hence, as with all smartphones and downloaded apps, it is important for the user to do his part in ensuring that security is sufficiently tight and not compromised.
For example, never assign a password or PIN which is related to the car, such as its model name or licence plate number. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks, which may not be secure, and keep both the smartphone and car app updated. Of course, also take care not to misplace the phone.
