With the rapid merging of in-car technology and the Internet, Ford Motor Company is offering a suite of security features to protect the personal information of millions of Ford owners from the threat of computer hackers and viruses. 

Ford Motor Company, an automotive industry leader worldwide manufactures automobiles across six continents. With almost 198,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company also provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.

Protecting customers is vital as Ford moves to the forefront of in-car personal technology.  Ford's popular SYNC system helps owners to connect digital media players and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones to their vehicle's entertainment system and operate them with voice commands.  

The mobile phone also acts as a gateway to a number of Internet cloud services through SYNC's Traffic, Directions and Information application that gives turn-by-turn directions, business searches and much more. Consequently Ford is adapting methods and technologies like firewalls, virus protection and password-controlled access quite often associated with the fast moving IT world to safeguard its mobile device-to-car connections from unwanted entry.       

Jim Buczkowski, director, Ford Electronics and Electrical Systems Engineering, stated that Ford Motor Company delivers cutting-edge technology and entertainment platforms which like a consumer's laptop or smart phone, need to have security features built into it. He also added that consumers want and need to know that their personal or professional information in their vehicle is specific only to them.

Recent industry data reveals that more than 11 million people in the U.S. were victims of identity theft and fraudulent accounts in 2009 where almost a third of fraudulent accounts opened via mobile phone technology.  As the use of smartphones increases concern over identity and information theft also continues to increase. 

To offer customer peace of mind that their private information is protected, concealed and secure while in the vehicle, Ford is offering security features like SYNC Firewall; SYNC Phone (News - Alert) Pairing Protection; Encrypted Jukebox; Home Protection; Engine Immobilizer and Securicode keyless entry.  All this features will ensure that the consumer’s data are secure and available only to them.