This comes as no surprise; humanity is currently going through its first ever digitized industrial revolution. The Internet of Things is one of the defining moments of this 4IR. What are IoT devices though? Are they really secure? How can I keep my IoT devices safe? Read on to learn everything you need to know about the IoT in this detailed explanation guide.
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Internet of Things – Everything You Need to Know
What is the Internet of Things?
Simply put, it refers to the online connection between devices themselves. Devices that are considered IoT are devices that, historically, aren’t made to connect to the internet or to be used by people to access it. In other words, mobiles, tablets, laptops, and computers are not considered part of the Internet of Things.
Home appliances, however, are. IoT isn’t necessarily a new concept, as researchers have been testing out the compatibility of conventional devices with the internet since the 1980s. However, IoTs are unique for the average consumer.
Security Risks Of Internet of Things
However, we still don’t know the full extent of how the Internet of Things devices risks your security, we do know enough. Here are some of the risks IoT devices impose on their users so far:
Malware And Botnets
As we know IoT devices connect to the internet, they’re readily susceptible to malware infestations. IoT devices still don’t have anti-malware and anti-virus programs designed specifically for them. This means that a hacker can infest as many devices as he/she wants without worrying about having the malware removed.
It is because of how easy it is to infect an IoT device and because these kinds of attacks need a large number of infected devices, IoT devices have become favourite targets. They are mostly used in DDoS attacks and can cause some serious harm to individuals and conglomerates alike.
The IoT Search Engine
Any device that is connected to the internet can be easily found using Shodan, the search engine dedicated to these kinds of devices. You can use Shodan to search for any type of IoT you want, and you’ll get results that include your actual location and the specific make and model of the device you’re using. Any hacker who can do a little bit of research can easily find the information he/she needs to gain control of your device, especially if the next security risk applies.
Default Logins Aplenty
Majority of manufacturers worry about the design and functionality of the device more than the security aspect of it. As such, these devices are given default usernames and passwords based on their batch numbers. Some of these devices don’t even come with an option to change the default login information.
To put it simply, a hacker can easily find your device’s details using Shodan and find out the login information based on the mass-scaled default logins.
How to Protect Your IoT Devices?
You don’t need to throw your smart devices in the bin just yet. Even though they do present a security risk, there are still a few things you can do to keep your devices (and your data) safe.
Change the Password
The very first thing you should do when you buy a new device to change whatever default password it came with. Sadly, not a lot of people do that. Default passwords are a major security risk with IoT devices. Read the manufacturer’s manual to figure out if and how you can change your device’s password.
Keep Your IoT Devices Offline
Instead of connecting your devices to the internet at large, consider creating a personal LAN-based network for them instead. Just get yourself a second router and create a local network for your devices. Connect the phone or computer you want to use to control these devices to the same network. This way, your devices will still function the exact way you want them to, but you won’t be exposing them to the cyber-security risks of the global internet.
Update Your IoT Devices
Now, this is a tip that might not work for every device. Some manufacturers just don’t offer updates for their devices. Try to avoid these devices if you can. Other IoT devices, however, will have regular security updates. Make sure to stay on top of these updates as much as you can, as they can fix genuine security vulnerabilities.
Use a VPN on Your Router
VPNs have two specific functions: (1) encrypting your data and (2) re-routing your traffic through their own servers. This ends up spoofing your IP address and giving you a level of anonymity online. While you can’t really install a VPN on specific IoT devices, you can install one on your router and extend its functionalities to all of your devices, IoT or otherwise.
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Conclusion -Internet of Things – Everything You Need to Know
This was all an average internet user needs to know about the Internet of Things. Don’t be discouraged from going out and adding IoT devices to your daily life. While yes, they do pose security risks, there are still things you can do to make sure that you’re protected.
As long as you’re an informed user, you do your research properly, and make sure you’re constantly updating your devices; you should be a-okay.
