User Review
( votes)
Recent years have seen the proliferation of IoT devices across the world, and the number of connected IoT devices is projected to amount to 75.44 billion worldwide by 2025. These devices offer improved connectivity to make homes more efficient and life much easier.
However, their mode of functioning (data collection) is also their main security threat, and the fact that they run on limited resources makes it hard to secure them. Recently, a hacker released more than 515,000 Telnet credentials belonging to servers, home routers, and IoT devices. Your IoT devices can be exploited to spy on you or used in DDoS attacks, and it’s becoming increasingly important to ensure their security.
Threats to IoT Devices
Botnets
Botnets are composed of many devices (zombies) that are under the control of a hacker (bot herder). In most cases, the victims are IoT devices that still use the manufacturer’s default credentials or common passwords. When a hacker connects to such devices, they can then use them to carry out nefarious activities such as phishing and scams, DDoS attacks, ad fraud, crypto-mining, etc.
Identity and Data Theft
IoT devices such as smartwatches, smart meters, and other smart home devices can be hacked and used to collect data on individuals. The data obtained can then be used to carry out more sophisticated attacks that aim at gaining confidential information such as credit and debit cards.
Apart from that, these devices can be used as an entry point to a network, since they are connected to other devices and systems. When a device is compromised, a hacker can then infiltrate multiple enterprise systems and obtain sensitive data, especially if you don’t have one of the best antispyware software installed.
