Smart devices, which collectively make up the Internet of Things have been found several times to lack the recommended mechanisms that implement security and safeguard user’s privacy. It’s even worse since most consumers don’t know what they are dealing with when it comes to smart technology. In a survey conducted in 2018, more than 50% of smart tech consumers are unconcerned about privacy issues posed by smart devices.
此外，大多數製造商也不關心安全和隱私問題，因為他們急於獲利。大多數消費者也急於購買適合其預算的設備，而不考慮安全和隱私等其他因素。
Cybercriminals, on the other hand, are exploiting this lack of cyber-awareness on smart devices. IoTs form a large percentage of data breaches and here is why their security is a priority;
- 殭屍網路威脅
Smart devices perform some task-oriented processing, and some connect to the internet. And anything with a processor can be hacked while anything that connects to the internet can be compromised. This puts smart devices in a vulnerable spot since most of them lack proper security mechanisms. With the rise of sophisticated malware, cybercriminals are making a large network of botnets from powerful internet of things. Botnets can be used maliciously to propagate DDoS attacks and other malicious activities such as crypto-jacking.
缺乏推薦的安全級別使物聯網成為惡意行為者的主要目標，而不是其他互聯網設備。它們是收集數據、間諜和發起攻擊的良好候選者;甚至您的智慧咖啡機也可以用來醞釀攻擊。
- 數據的互聯互通
Smart devices are connected with other smart devices and other devices in the network in various forms. For instance, one smart device can be used to control how other smart devices work. This means it has access to the other smart device’s data. The other smart devices may also have access to other devices’ data. At times this data might be sensitive and cybercriminals shouldn’t get hold of it.
Smart devices also connect to other devices such as your phone through Apps. Although they can operate without apps, these apps enable us to get maximum and efficient functionality from the devices. On the dark side, these apps are also as vulnerable as the devices. Recent research revealed that 31% of top selling smart devices lack data encryptions. For some, 19% had an encryption which was easy to break through reverse engineering. This means that cybercriminals can easily hack and gain access to the majority of the Internet of things and wreak havoc in ways they choose.
如何保持安全
As a consumer, you are not entirely powerless in making sure that your IoTs are protected. You should ensure that any smart device you own is secure enough whether it has access to the internet or not. Here are some ways in which you can ensure your smart devices are secure and your data is not compromised;
- 正確配置它們
This involves changing the default password to something strong and unique. You can also set proper security configuration to smart devices that provide such an option. Default passwords are easy to break, and most of them can be found online.
- 使它們保持最新狀態
智慧設備使用某些韌體才能正常運行。儘管它們中的大多數不提供更新，但請更新那些提供更新的更新。軟體更新提供了漏洞的修復，並大大降低了被駭客入侵的機會。
- 限制對您的個人數據的訪問
Besides smart devices, your home network is made up of other devices that contain your sensitive data such as your phone, your computer, and drives connected to your router for easy access. As a good security practice, some devices don’t need access to this sensitive data, and you should make a separate network for them. A separate properly configured network ensures your data is safe if your smart devices are hacked. In case of apps, give permission access cautiously; a smart device app doesn’t need to have access to your financial information.
使用 VPN – IPBurger VPN
A VPN is a great deal and the ultimate protector of your security and privacy when you connect to the internet. A VPN uses very strong encryptions which are hard to break and hence your internet traffic won’t be accessible by prying eyes such as cybercriminals. Since most smart devices don’t support VPN installations, use IPBurger VPN for the router and protect all your smart devices at once.
