Protect Your Smart Devices from IoT Vulnerabilities


From individuals to organizations, the growth of IoT devices is spreading like wildfire. This allows opportunities in the market but also allows them to increase the risk as well. This leads to your IoT device being vulnerable.

A vulnerable IoT device can lead to a major cybercrime allowing the criminal to access sensitive data through connected networks and also gain access to the organization’s employees' or their customers' data.

Let’s look at a few Vulnerabilities of IoT Devices:

Changing Default Password – Majority of the IoT devices come with a default password. If the passwords are not changed and if someone else has access to the device, this can lead to difficulty in the most crucial stage of setting the device.

Update Firmware Regularly – Manufacturers are giving updates on the devices to cater to the problems of the IoT device vulnerability. Most users outlook this important step, leaving the device to get exploited.

Segment your Network -Network segmentation is the most overlooked part. IoT devices can help themselves to another network (guest network) that limits your access to the main device and data.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication – Enabling two-factor authentication is putting extra security for this device. It is like when someone gets the password, they will need another verification from another device, usually a smartphone.

Monitor Network Traffic – If there’s a lot of different network traffic on your device, it means that your IoT device is being used for fraud.

Disable Unused Features – The majority of IoT devices have features that one might not require like remote access or voice activation. If you don’t use these features, make sure you disable them to reduce your risk.

Take upcoming IoT Regulations Seriously- With the rise in the production of IoT devices, Governments around the world are trying to take the security aspect of these devices seriously. These regulations help build designs to ensure device building is made with security in mind.

Use Comprehensive Security Solution – It is necessary to invest in an important security system solution that will provide real-time data and network protection from threat and vulnerability management.

Educate your household – Make sure everyone in the household is aware of the security practices to maintain a safe environment. Children should be taught about the importance of avoiding phishing links, device security and installing trusted apps.

Let’s look at the threats on IoT devices

Limited Compute and Hardware – IoT Devices have a little and computational abilities, leaving minimal space for data protection and security to defend against cyberattacks.

Varied Transmission Technology – IoT Devices use a lot of transmission technology that makes it challenging to help implement sufficient methods for security and protocols.

How is Encryption Used in Daily Life?

Vulnerable Components – The IoT devices have vulnerable components that would leave the device in risk with over millions of attackers to strike.

User Security Awareness – The biggest difficulty for IoT device comes from organization users. They lack security threats. Lack of seriousness regarding security has to be addressed to stop the attack of IoT devices.

What are the consequences of IoT vulnerabilities?

Data Breaches - Data breached by cybercriminals may include personal, official, financial, or corporate data. Falling such precious data in the hands of these anti-social people may affect them into leaking personal data.

Financial Damage: In many cases, cybercriminals use IoT vulnerabilities to access financial information. This information can be used to steal money from user’s bank accounts. This could lead to a huge loss to users economically.

Physical Risks: In smart homes, connected systems can be used to compromise your physical safety if not properly secured.

The risk of IoT device vulnerabilities has become a concern in today’s time, it needs to be addressed quickly. Creating awareness about cybersecurity and using licensed software and products will help protect IoT devices from danger.

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