Smart Home & Network Security Vulnerabilities
Malware in Your Refrigerator
There are worse eyes growing in the kitchen than the ones on your spoiled potatoes. As the Internet of Things grows, the potential for hacks and the severity of those attacks increases.
Just to get an idea of the potential for attack, keep in mind that 6.4 billion Internet-connected things exist today, and there will be 20.8 billion IoT device by 2020, according to Vanillaplus.com.
That means more devices will be surfing the web than people.
Who and what is at risk?
Realnoevremy.com reports that experts find up to 10 vulnerabilities per month in these Internet-surfing devices. A lot of these critical vulnerabilities are found in small and medium enterprises, but an alarming 40% of the 203 ransomware incidents in 2016 came from healthcare organizations. (Modernhealthcare.com)
However, that doesn’t mean small homes are safe. 90% of small to medium enterprises have critical vulnerabilities that make them susceptible to hacks. And according to Darkreading.com, 98.6% of victims have data extracted within days of the first breach.
Fighting back
There is good news. Customers can take responsibility for protecting themselves. There are many areas of negligence that provide areas of improvement that homeowners can take charge of and control. Protecting devices begins with protecting the network at its source. TheNewsTribune.com suggests that users can take steps to protect themselves and their home in 3 easy areas.
1. Know what’s in the fridge
Not only should customers know the number of devices connected, but they should now how much network access each device needs. They should also keep in mind that not all their device that can connect should connect, or should always be left connected. They should develop a habit of unplugging devices that are not in use. Plus, research which of their devices are most vulnerable to attacks, and better yet, research these potential security flaws before purchasing, to minimize the total number of potential vulnerabilities in their home.
2. Good password hygiene
Realnoevremy.com reports that 15 out of 100 devices have passwords that have never been changed from factory defaults. Passwords should be changed every 3 months. Moreover, every connected device should have a different password. The factory-default password should never be used for longer than it takes to set the device up when first purchased. There are programs that can help manage and store passwords for those that have trouble remembering them. Plus, these programs ensure safety through encryption.
3. Maintain vigilance for malware growth
Just like any good homeowner regularly checks the items in their fridge for bad smells and mold growth, they should be regularly checking their devices for software updates as well as updating antiviral and anti-malware programs. Other security maintenance habits should revolve around their network. Multiple wireless access points should be set up for different devices or groups of devices or tasks. Plus, for larger stores or enterprises, a separate network should be set up for visitors and new devices. The more access points a customer has, the more opportunities they have for allowing restricted accesses, more firewalls, and the ability to monitor new devices and guest behavior.
Keeping House Is Getting Trickier
Maintaining a well-kept home is more complicated than it used to be—and the stakes are higher. A neglected network can mean even worst guests than the vermin that comes in to feed off crumbs on the kitchen floor.
However, user error and negligence is the number one point of entry for security breaches—and that’s something everyone can control for themselves. Product designers and the end users can work together to keep the kitchen and home safe and malware-free.
Check out the latest wireless and network devices that can help keep homes safe on order.petra.com.