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What will be your reaction if you ignore the sound of a time bomb and consider it as a normal bomb? Surprisingly, the automotive industry is making the same mistake. Till a few years back nobody had thought of using a source for demanding ransomware. This would be surprising to know that in a few years, the cyber attack which was unexpected to affect the automotive industry has accounted for 45% of all automotive cyber incidents reported in 2025. It would not be wrong to say that it has emerged as one of the leading threats to this industry, and the incidents of these attacks are increasing dangerously. The number of ransomware attacks impacting millions of vehicles tripled in 2024, and about 60% of reported cyber attacks between 2023 and 2024 were categorized as large-scale. 

 

 

The Tip of the Iceberg

The official data issued by the government may present a grim picture, but according to experts, the real situation is worse. Only a few number of ransomware incidents have been disclosed publically. The data on ransomware attacks reveals that in the first quarter of 2025, 148 publicly disclosed automotive cyber incidents were tracked. But that’s just the surface. Cybersecurity specialists warn that the dark web is brimming with criminal activity, and underground forums hint at a much broader, hidden threat landscape. 

 

The New Threat in the Driver’s Seat

Modern cars are equipped with multiple connectivity options including infotainment systems, remote diagnostics, over-the-air updates, and voice-activated controls. But the integration of all these features is no less than a double-edged sword. Each keypad and touchscreen can act as a potential point of entry for malware. Picture a journalist visiting a dealership, browsing high-tech sedans gleaming under showroom lights. Every dashboard seems harmless—until a piece of hidden ransomware quietly disables vehicles across the lot. That 45% breach stat isn’t just data—it’s a red flag waving directly at the industry and its users.

 

When Code Becomes a Weapon

Ransomware doesn’t always strike at the obvious targets. Often, the attack begins with stolen credentials from third-party suppliers or compromised service portals. Once inside the manufacturer’s ecosystem, hackers can encrypt critical vehicle functions—navigation, infotainment, safety features, and even the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). An encrypted ECU can render a vehicle unusable. Instead of a dashboard lighting up with the familiar sounds of the ignition, owners could be greeted with a digital ransom note. Pay up, or your car stays silent. This is no longer a far-off hypothetical. It’s a rapidly evolving threat that redefines what cybersecurity means in the automotive space.

 

Final Thoughts

The automotive industry is at a crossroads. As vehicles grow smarter, the systems that power them also become more vulnerable. Ransomware is no longer an IT department issue—it’s a public safety threat. It’s time for automakers to treat cybersecurity not as an afterthought, but as a core component of vehicle design and consumer trust. Because in today’s connected world, a car that can’t start isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a liability.