As these technologies become more
sophisticated, it opens up a broader spectrum of threats. A world of connected
devices makes it possible for bad guys to have a permanent entry into ones
household. By 2020, some 26 billion such devices may be connected to the
Internet, up from 3 billion today, researcher Gartner Inc. estimates. That’s almost four times the number
of smartphones, tablets and PCs that will be in use.
The vision is to connect almost
everything -- from cars to fridges, lamps, even toilets. Forget to flush?
There’s an app for that. Problem is, data security isn’t typically a big focus
for toilet, refrigerator or baby monitor manufacturers. Security lapses on such
devices could allow bad guys to disrupt home life, gather valuable personal
data, or even use stolen information to extort money from victims, Ollmann
said.
Hijacked Robotoilet
Trustwave, a Chicago company that
helps corporate clients fight cybercrime, hijacked a Bluetooth connection that
controls toilets made by Japan’s
Lixil Group. That
could allow hackers to open or close the lid and even squirt a stream of water
at the user’s behind, Trustwave said. Lixil said it’s difficult to commandeer
its toilets as hackers would need to connect their smartphone to the loo using
a special remote that comes with the device, making abuse “a very rare case.”
Even some tech companies have created
devices lacking sufficient protection. The Ollmann Group broke into a home
automation system from Belkin International Inc., a company that makes mobile
phone accessories and Wi-Fi routers. Belkin’s WeMo box fits over electrical
outlets to control lamps, fans, coffee makers and other appliances via a
smartphone app.
Interactive Countertop
LG Electronics Inc. has Smart ThinQ technology that lets smartphone users
monitor and diagnose problems in washers, refrigerators and ovens. The
applications requires buyers to create a username and password. LG declined to
comment. Sweden’s Electrolux SA is developing an interactive countertop, a white
surface with hidden elements for cooking food and charging devices such as
mobile phones without plugging them in. The countertop even comes with a virtual chef to walk you through
recipes.
Though not many criminal hackers are
targeting such devices today, that will change once there’s a reliable way to
make money from exploiting them, said Sebastian Zimmerman, a member of the
Chaos Computer Club, a German hacker collective campaigning to raise awareness
of security and privacy.
Based on an article by Jun 10, 2014
