As vehicles get high-tech upgrades, car hacking has become a much larger issue.

Samy Kamkar, a hacker who runs YouTube channel Applied Hacking, recently demonstrated a device which allows him to take control of a 2013 Chevrolet Volt equipped with General Motor's OnStar concierge service. The vulnerability, which theoretically impacts all OnStar-equipped vehicles with the RemoteLink mobile app, allows the hacker to take control of various vehicle functions.

See also: Hackers could take control of your Chrysler without this critical patch

Kamkar built a small $100 device with a Wi-Fi hot spot that spoofs familiar Wi-Fi networks (for example, "attwifi," commonly used at Starbucks). If a driver's phone connects to the hot spot and the RemoteLink app is then opened, the hacker will gain access to the app.

Once the hacker is in the app, they would have access to vehicle controls like locking/unlocking and remote starting and access to the car owner's personal information, like their home address and the last four digits of their credit card. The hacker would also be able to track the car itself. Speaking to WIRED, Kamkar said it could be possible to mount the device on a car, track its movements, unlock the doors and steal whatever's inside.

GM's response

Kamkar shared his findings with GM within 24 hours of discovering the vulnerability and in an email sent to Mashable said the automaker was "very easy to work with" once he was in contact with the right person.

GM provided a statement to Mashable Thursday morning which said "a fix had been implemented" for the vulnerability and customers didn't need to take any action. Kamkar then determined the issue hadn't been quite resolved.

OwnStar update: GM told WIRED that OnStar bug was fixed, however it's not actually resolved yet. I spoke with GM & they're working on it now — Samy Kamkar (@samykamkar) July 30, 2015

In an email sent to Mashable Friday morning, a GM representative said "continued testing identified further action necessary on the Apple iOS version of RemoteLink app itself." A new version of OnStar Remotelink was released to the App Store Friday which addresses these issues.

GM expects to send an email to customers encouraging them to update the iOS app. The back-end fix GM implemented early Thursday resolves the issue completely for Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry users.

While this hack is justifiably scary, it isn't quite as scary as the recent hack of Fiat Chrysler (FCA) vehicles equipped with the uConnect infotainment system where hackers could gain complete control of a vehicle remotely. This vulnerability led FCA to issue the first ever recall for car hacking.

FCA fixed the vulnerability with a software patch, which could be installed with a USB stick or by taking a car to the dealer.

The future of hacking cars

When asked why he targeted GM in particular, Kamkar said he had recently bought his mother a car equipped with OnStar and wanted to ensure her safety. "I typically focus my research on things I or people close to me use," he said in an email.

"I believe vulnerabilities like this are going to be across the board when it comes to cars and other connected devices. I love all the new features, but part of my research is to help demonstrate that we need more stringent security on devices as they become more and more connected."

As is the case with the recent FCA hack, these vulnerabilities point to a fundamental lack of understanding by automakers when it comes to cybersecurity. Companies like GM have been making cars for well over a century but only began making computers very recently.

A new study from Kelley Blue Book found that 80% of consumers think vehicle hacking will be a frequent problem in the future.

Automakers are in a tough position: Cars are going to become increasingly connected and thus, increasingly susceptible to hacking.