In today’s interconnected world, smart home devices like security cameras, voice assistants, and various products from Amazon, Ring, Nest and others have become integral to our homes. They offer convenience and peace of mind, but also pose potential security risks if not properly protected. The good news is that most devices are safe right out of the box, and ensuring their security doesn’t require you to be a tech wizard. Here’s how these devices can be hacked and the measures you can take to protect them.
How Smart Home Devices Can Be Hacked
There are three main ways your devices may be compromised:
1) Direct Attacks When Publicly Accessible: home devices are generally connected to your private home network and aren’t publicly accessible from outside, except through the service provider mobile application or website. Misconfigured devices can be directly exposed to the internet without proper security and be vulnerable to attacks.
Did you know: shodan.io is a search engine for publicly connected systems. For instance if you search for [rtsp “200” city:Boston has_screenshot:true] you will see that camera feeds are openly accessible, including cameras from inside private homes and backyards [yikes]
2) Attacks via the Home Network: If someone gets access to your home network, all connected devices become targets. In practice, it’s not so easy for an attacker having access to your Wi-Fi to connect to a device or directly tap into a video feed. This can happen if the device is badly misconfigured or has a known security vulnerability.
3) Social Engineering and Phishing: The most common method of compromise involves deceiving the device owner into giving away access to the devices voluntarily. This can happen through phishing emails, fake login pages, or other forms of social engineering aimed at capturing your accounts credentials.
Protecting Your Devices
1) Against Direct Attacks: Ensure no device is set to be accessible remotely. Use a personal firewall.
2) Against Indirect Attacks through the home network: Secure Your Router and your Wi-Fi Network: Change the default password on the router, use a strong, unique password and the latest encryption standard (WPA3). See how in this article
3) Against Social Engineering and Phishing: Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Messages. Never click on links or attachments in emails or messages from unknown sources. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on all accounts related to your smart home devices to add an extra layer of security. More detailed practical steps are presented in this article
4) General Security Practices: Ensure your devices and router are regularly updated with the latest firmware and software to protect against known vulnerabilities. Use complex and unique passwords for each device and service. See how in this article.
By adopting robust security measures like securing your Wi-Fi network, enabling two-factor authentication, and being vigilant about social engineering attempts, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of compromise. Remember, the key to enjoying the conveniences of modern smart home technology lies in responsible and proactive security practices.