The global smart home market expected to be worth 53.45 billion USD by 2022. With 55% of smart device owners in the dark about how they actually work, could second-hand smart home devices be a threat to families into their own homes?
Internet security experts
vpnMentor has utilised a team of ethical hackers to uncover the most hackable smart home devices including the first-generation Amazon Echo, a Samsung Smart Camera and the first-generation Ring Smart Doorbell.
vpnMentor has created a white paper and produced a video showing how we’re inviting hackers into our properties and how easy it can be to access sensitive information. Disturbingly, the team was able to manipulate all of the devices tested to gain access.
Amazon Echo - A wiretap waiting to happen?
The research revealed a critical vulnerability related to the first-generation Echo’s physical design. Hackers were able to open the device and manipulate it using a specially crafted SD card. This means that malicious actors could live stream audio from its microphone, and remotely use its services.
Video: Is the Amazon Echo being used to hack your life?
White paper: How safe is your Smart Home?
Keep cyber criminals at bay:
- Always research a product, and any existing security threats to it, before you buy. Only buy smart gadgets from an officially certified source.
- Be aware of any signs of physical intervention with the product.
- Directly address the seller if you or someone else has identified any major misconfiguration. Make sure smart devices are properly configured and regularly updated.
- Keep externally facing smart devices on a separate network.
Follow these simple rules to ensure best practice and protect you from becoming an easy target.
