Last updated on April 4, 2023
What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
IoT means a lot of physical devices around the world which are connected to the internet or other communication networks with embedded technologies to collect and transmit data in a smart way.
Examples of IoT devices are as follows;
Light bulbs that can be switched on using a smartphone app or connected streetlight, smart fire alarms, smart door locks, medical sensors, smart bicycles, smart mobiles, smart refrigerators, fitness trackers, smart watches, smart security systems.
Can IoT cause security threats?
Apart from the technological advancements, connected IoT devices lead to remote attacks which cause severe damages. The main reason for this is the interaction between IoT devices over the internet. The information collected by these devices is sometimes exposed to security threats.
According to a survey, about 84% of organizations have deployed IoT devices on corporate networks and 50% out of this do not maintain the required security measures.
Let’s learn about common IoT attacks
1. Eavesdropping
In here an attacker monitors targeted networks and tries to steal personal data by looking for security weaknesses between IoT devices and the server.
2. Privilege Escalation Attack
The attacker tries to obtain unauthorized access of privileges to execute this. They try to do this through vulnerabilities like unpatched bugs in the system, misconfiguration or inadequate access controls.
3. Brute-Force Attack
Most IoT devices consist of easy to remember passwords. Due to this, brute force attackers access targeted IoT devices by guessing passwords with the use of dictionaries or common word combinations.
Due to the above threats it is mandatory to provide adequate security to IoT devices.
References : https://cisomag.com/3-common-iot-attacks-that-compromise-security/
https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-the-internet-of-things-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-iot-right-now/