1. A computer-implemented authentication method comprising: receiving a request to access one or more features of a vehicle computing system (VCS) from an application running on a wireless device in communication with the VCS; preparing a secure access rights request to a remote server including one or more characteristics associated with the application; sending the secure request from the VCS, through the wireless device to the remote server; receiving a response to the request having been sent from the remote server through the wireless device; verifying the authenticity of the received response; updating a policy table including information from the received response, the information including at least an expiration trigger and access rights for the application; and validating the application for use in conjunction with the VCS based at least on the information included in the updated policy table.