Written by Sebastián Stranieri, CEO of VU
Networked devices are only as secure as the precautions we take with them, and this depends on the necessary measures we take to protect ourselves from cyber attacks.
As a result of the transformative digital-technological process we are living through, the Internet of Things (IoT) is here to stay. In fact, it has already established itself in our homes as a member of the family. Connecting objects and devices to the web to obtain additional information is a reality that is quietly gaining more and more strength among people. In addition to Smart TVs, air conditioners, printers, refrigerators and clocks, IoT technology includes: security systems such as cameras and monitors for day care centres, medical devices such as pacemakers or insulin dispensers, thermostats, wearable devices such as watches or glasses (wearables), home entertainment devices and fuel monitoring systems, among others.
This global trend is on the rise. According to a Gartner study, by 2020 there will be five times more web-connected devices than people. It is estimated that, by then, there will be more than 25 billion connected objects, which implies a 246% increase in the number of devices that can be hacked. Moreover, according to IDC data, in 2018 spending on IoT devices increased by 15%, reaching nearly $780 million in turnover.
People's day-to-day lives are criss-crossed by technology: to a greater or lesser extent, everyone is connected through some technological device or object. However, as connectivity increases, so do the threats, because hackers are on the prowl and waiting for an oversight. Lack of awareness on the part of consumers on the one hand, and difficulties in resolving vulnerabilities on the part of providers on the other, create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit these weaknesses in different ways.
The main risks of IoT technology in smart homes:
- Use Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) protocol to remotely log in, reconfigure and take over devices without authentication.
- Use default passwords to send malware or spam, or steal personal or credit card information.
- Compromise the IoT device to cause physical harm.
- Overload the devices until they become inoperable.
- Interfering with business transactions.
- Deployment of insecure services over HTTP or MQTT.
Some of the measures to take into account in order to protect your home from possible attacks:
- Modify default passwords on web-connected devices with strong passwords.
- Check for updates for each device.
- Monitor device usage, consumption and data traffic.
- Conduct a quarterly security review by a third party.
Smart homes are nothing new, and according to analysts at Zion Market Research, it is a growing global business, estimated to grow from €20 billion to €50 billion between 2018 and 2022. This is why IoT companies and manufacturers are increasingly interested in improving the security and services available in these types of homes; but as they say, everything starts at home, and so does security.
To help establish standards, VU is a member of The Open Connectivity Foundation (OFC), an organisation that works to establish standards for IoT to ensure secure interoperability for consumers and businesses. Preventing potential cyber-attacks on our homes depends largely on the precautions we take, because hackers are getting better and better and are always waiting for mistakes to be made.
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