The idea of smart homes is now largely backed by IoT, which wasn’t around a few years back. Our home appliances, electronics, and vehicles are accessible via the Internet to make our lives easier. However, with technology come threats – threats that aren’t acknowledged by most.
When you integrate your devices with no security measures, it can be the most significant safety risk. Your important data is a few clicks away from that potential, smart hacker who is looking for an opportunity to breach in.
The Internet of Things surely facilitates us in several aspects, but considering it as a safe medium is out of the question. A recent report by Nokia Threat Intelligence showed that IoT comes third in the list of vulnerable devices. This report also suggested that the percentage of security threats for IoT has doubled in the past 12 months.
Why is IoT so Defenseless?
When smartphones replaced PCs and computers, security threats diverted to our hand-held devices too. Similarly, now when we’re integrating Internet to daily use items, i.e., cookers, refrigerators, ACs, etc. cyber attackers are also doing the same. Since IoT devices aren’t well-sheltered, they are more susceptible to privacy breaches. Bots and malware heavily affect the Internet of things, eventually making them a huge security risk. Voice recorders, mini-cameras, and bots used in IoT collectively pose a persistent challenge for crucial data. And when paired with the hacking attempts, these cracks make the Internet a scary space.
Lack of Protection
Unlike cellphones and computers, IoT devices generally lack strong endpoint security guards. This lack of protection makes your smart appliances/vehicles an easy target for hackers. To protect your critical data and privacy, rely on the most secured IoT gadgets instead of taking them as harmless tools.
Changed Patterns
The world has undergone a technological revolution, which has massively changed our preferences and plans. Now people seek the smart version of everything, giving the developers an ample opportunity to play with new ideas. If your mobile, laptop, GPS tracker, and a few other gadgets are interconnected, it’s a significant threat to your privacy. This co-dependency makes IoT a susceptible target for attackers, as they aren’t as sheltered as phones/computers.
Increased Dependence
From bedroom lights to gates, the Internet is heavily integrated into our lives. Apart from the perks of these technological advancements, one must not overlook the threats that follow them. For example, when you share your credit card information to purchase a fitness plan, it can become troublesome if the app doesn’t abide by privacy rules.
Final Words
When cyber attackers find new ways to breach your privacy, ensure that the smart devices you’re using are safe. Being proactive about these approaching risks is better than overcoming the damage done by hackers/attackers. Securing IoT devices doesn’t mean you cannot integrate them with your computers/smartphones. Instead, you should adopt a more inclusive approach and keep privacy risks at bay. Software developers and security teams are keenly finding the solutions to safeguard your gadgets, stay updated, and benefit from them.
