An independent cybersecurity review across many of Illinois’s largest auto dealerships reveals a wide range of results. Dealerships hold customers’ finance and credit data, yet many show significant vulnerabilities.
Using data from audit.emailmenow.com, we evaluated each dealership’s domain across SPF, DKIM, DMARC, transport security (MTA-STS/TLS), and website security headers.
Cybersecurity Scores of Major Illinois Auto Dealerships
Overall compliance scores from audit.emailmenow.com. Re-run any domain at the link to verify.
| Rank | Dealership Group | Domain | Overall Score | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zeigler Auto Group | zeiglerauto.com | 48% | Below Average |
| 2 | Rizza Auto Group | rizzacars.com | 47% | Below Average |
| 3 | Ed Napleton Automotive | napleton.com | 44% | Weak |
| 3 | Bob Rohrman Auto Group | rohrman.com | 44% | Weak |
| 3 | McGrath Auto Group | mcgrathauto.com | 44% | Weak |
| 3 | Haggerty Auto Group | haggertyautogroup.com | 44% | Weak |
| 7 | Continental Autos | continentalautos.com | 30% | Weakest |
What the Results Reveal
- No Illinois dealer group cleared 50% — the field tops out at Zeigler (48%) and bottoms at Continental Autos (30%).
- This is the weakest dealer cohort in our state reviews, despite the credit and finance data these groups handle.
- Weak email authentication makes it easier for attackers to impersonate the dealership and intercept customer or lender communications.
Why This Matters for Auto Dealerships
Auto dealers are classified as financial institutions under the FTC Safeguards Rule (16 CFR Part 314) and must maintain a documented information security program. Weak email authentication exposes dealers to BEC and wire fraud around vehicle deposits and floor-plan payments.
Check any dealership’s posture at audit.emailmenow.com/?industry=auto-dealers.
See also — national audit
Recommendations
- Enforce DMARC (
p=reject), strict SPF (-all), and DKIM signing. - Add MTA-STS and website security headers.
- Maintain a written information security program and security awareness training for sales and F&I staff.
Protect your dealership and your customers. Run a free Instant Cybersecurity Audit at audit.emailmenow.com/?industry=auto-dealers.
Contact EmailMeNow IT Consulting for help with email security hardening and a documented information security program.
Source & methodology: Overall compliance scores from the free scan at audit.emailmenow.com — each domain checked for email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), transport security (MTA-STS/TLS), website security headers, and network security. Re-run any domain at the link to verify.