Security researchers warn of immense IoT security threat this holiday season!
Smart light bulbs/illuminants pose a serious threat. Light bulbs, which can be integrated into the home network like other Internet of Things (IoT) devices, have serious security gaps that hackers can easily exploit. The infrared light function of numerous models gives you access to sensitive user data such as texts and images that are stored on a computer.
Lack of update functionality
“Increasing networking in your own home is a clear trend. The problem is that devices that are connected to the Internet are also vulnerable,” said David Jacoby, Senior Security Researcher in Kaspersky , to pressetext.
However, it is difficult to make a general assessment of the risk posed by smart light bulbs, refrigerators or televisions.
“There are simply too many different products and manufacturers,” emphasizes Jacoby. However, most of these devices have a weak point: they cannot be updated. “Update functionality is essential to close security gaps. The manufacturers are also challenged here,” says Jacoby.
“You have to think of a smart light bulb as just another computer sitting around your house,” said Murtuza Jadliwala, director of the Security, Privacy, Trust and Ethics in Computing Research Lab in UTSA’s Department of Computer Science. The widespread use of IoT devices also makes them more and more interesting for hackers.
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“Your light bulb may have infrared light capabilities. “But many people don’t know that this invisible wave spectrum can be easily controlled and misused,” says Jadliwala.
Data espionage using infrared light
Some smart light bulbs connect to the home network without relying on a smart home hub - a central interface through which IoT devices communicate.
“If the same lights also work with infrared light, hackers can use this invisible light to steal data or spy on other IoT devices connected to the network. The user doesn’t notice anything because the hacker commands only appear in the user’s network and not on the Internet,” explains Jadliwala.
To avoid unpleasant surprises, the UTSA researcher advises consumers to only buy smart light bulbs that are integrated into the home network via a smart home hub.
“Another cost-effective solution would be to set up a second network at home for your IoT devices so that they are not freely hanging on the public web. “You should choose particularly strict security settings in order to reduce the risk of data espionage,” explains Kaspersky expert Jacoby.
In line with this topic:
- Smart household appliances: Pay attention to data encryption
- Smart devices in the home, how dangerous are they really?
Source: pte
Article image: Shutterstock / From nullplus
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