IoT market keeps growing. But are smart gadgets really secure? Internet of Things (IoT) devices are not immune to a security vulnerability. As more and more people are adopting home automation devices, the risk of a security breach is also increasing. Since the Internet is always vulnerable to cyber attacks, it also poses security threats in IoT devices.
The IoT devices are prone to cyber-attacks when they are connected to the Internet and when the devices share information. The insecure network is one of the major security threats in IoT devices. For instance, the wearable devices share patients’ data with physicians. As another example, if there is some security loophole in connected vehicles’ hardware or firmware, the attacker may exploit it and risk peoples’ life. In a similar fashion, connected cameras also pose a security risk in smart homes when the attacker gets access to other home devices such as the HVAC system or door lock. You need to be cautious when connecting a smart home with the Internet and ensure that your home is not exposed to cyber-attacks.
Reasons of Vulnerability in IoT Devices
There are a number of reasons which make IoT devices vulnerable.
- Connectivity elements such as transmitters make the device vulnerable.
- The software or firmware may have a vulnerability.
- Login information is stored in cleartext.
- The server that stores data transferred from IoT devices may be hacked.
- The wi-fi network may not be secure. If it is the case, then a simple device such as a smart socket can give full access to the home to attackers. Attackers can even get the video recording of the home.
There are several more instances of cyber attacks on IoT devices in recent years which make the consumers to think twice before installing smart home devices.
Types of Cyber Attacks on IoT Devices
The attackers may compromise security by using several types of attacks which are listed below.
- Denial of Service attack
- Man in the Middle attack
- Audio and Video Recording
- Stealing the data
- Botnets that can get control of the smart devices
What you can do for protecting IoT Devices
So, in order to protect IoT devices from cyber attacks, you can take certain measures.
- Regularly update passwords and don’t choose passwords which are easy to guess.
- Change the default username and password such as “admin”.
- You can avoid connectivity with the Internet if it is not necessary.
- Select those devices which come with regular software and firmware updates.
- Ensure that login credentials are encrypted.
- On the developers’ end, better security standards and protocols should be employed.
- IoT devices may use biometric authentication such as face recognition and retina scan.