Vehicle security and car hacking detection using wired and wireless communication

Abstract

Modern vehicles rely heavily on Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and in-vehicle communication networks such as the 
Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, making them increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. This project presents a 
secure and efficient vehicle security system that detects and prevents malicious activities on the CAN bus using an 
Intrusion Detection System (IDS) integrated with cloud and blockchain technologies. The proposed system 
continuously monitors CAN messages using an ESP32 microcontroller interfaced with a CAN module. The collected 
data is analyzed in real time to identify abnormal patterns or unauthorized message injections. Upon detecting a 
potential attack, the system immediately triggers alerts through visual or audio indicators such as LEDs or buzzers. 
Additionally, the alert information is transmitted wirelessly using Wi-Fi or GSM to a cloud server for remote 
monitoring. To ensure data integrity and security, the detected attack logs are stored in a blockchain ledger, making 
them tamper-proof and reliable. The incident response center receives notifications and can take further actions based 
on the classified reports. A prototype model using a toy car is developed to demonstrate the practical implementation 
of the system. This setup effectively simulates real vehicle communication and attack scenarios in a controlled 
environment. The combination of wired (CAN bus) and wireless (Wi-Fi/GSM) communication enhances the flexibility 
and scalability of the system. The proposed solution provides a low-cost, real-time, and reliable approach to vehicle 
cybersecurity. It not only detects intrusions but also ensures secure data storage and remote accessibility