An Internet of Things (IoT) attack is a malicious attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in internet-connected devices, such as smart home devices, industrial control systems, and medical devices. Attackers may gain control of the device, steal sensitive data, or use the device as a part of a botnet for other malicious purposes.
IoT attacks refer to cyber-attacks that exploit the security vulnerabilities of IoT devices to gain unauthorized access to users' sensitive data. Attackers often install malware on these devices, manipulate their functionality, or exploit weaknesses to gain access to valuable company information.
For example, an attacker could access an organization's temperature control system through a security loophole in an IoT device and manipulate the temperature settings of connected rooms.
Read also: Best practices for securing medical IoT devices
IoT devices are considered one of the weakest links in an organization's security chain due to their lack of proper security protocols. Let's look at the different attack surface areas where vulnerabilities can be exploited:
Various components of an IoT device can pose security threats, including memory, firmware, web interface, physical interface, and networking service. Attackers can use these weak spots, such as outdated components, to initiate an IoT attack.
The channels connecting IoT devices to each other must be secured to prevent unauthorized access. Attackers can easily initiate IoT attacks if these channels are not properly protected.
Applications and software associated with IoT devices can also pose a threat to the overall system security. Compromising the application or software can give attackers an entry point to access the IoT device.
Now that we understand the concept of IoT attacks and their surface areas, let's discuss the different types of attacks that can compromise the security of IoT devices:
Physical tampering involves attackers gaining physical access to IoT devices to steal data, install malware, or manipulate the device's inner circuits. By accessing the ports and circuits of the device, attackers can breach the network and compromise sensitive information.
Attackers can exploit weak connections between servers and IoT devices to intercept network traffic and gain access to sensitive data. This type of attack can also enable attackers to eavesdrop on conversations using the microphone and camera data from IoT devices.
Cybercriminals can attempt different combinations of common words to crack the password of an IoT device. Since many IoT devices prioritize convenience over security, they often have simple passwords that are easy to crack.
Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities, such as operating system oversights, unpatched vulnerabilities, or bugs, to gain initial access to an IoT device. From there, they can escalate their privileges, potentially reaching the admin level and gaining access to valuable data.
Zombified IoT devices and botnets have made distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks more prevalent. In a DDoS attack, a massive influx of traffic overwhelms a device, rendering it unavailable to the user.
Cybercriminals can intercept and modify data packets transmitted between IoT devices and servers, exploiting insecure networks. This allows them to access and manipulate confidential data, disrupting communication.
Cybercriminals can exploit input validation flaws in IoT devices and inject malicious code. When executed, this code can make unauthorized changes to the program, potentially compromising the device's functionality or security.
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See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide
Cybersecurity researchers and IoT companies, including Roku, Owlet, and Wyze, worked together to fix four critical software vulnerabilities in Kalay, a tool used to manage IoT devices. With over 100 million devices potentially affected, these flaws could have allowed hackers deep access to networks. Bitdefender identified the vulnerabilities as a serious software supply-chain issue, given Kalay's widespread use. After being informed in October, ThroughTek, the maker of Kalay, patched all versions by mid-April and advised users to update their devices. The vulnerabilities could have fully compromised devices, impacting user privacy and safety. Owlet and Roku swiftly addressed the issues and urged users to secure their networks, while Wyze did not comment.
IoT attacks involve exploiting vulnerabilities in internet-connected devices such as medical devices, wearables, and sensors used in healthcare settings. These attacks can compromise patient data, disrupt medical operations, and pose serious risks to patient safety and privacy.
IoT attacks are a concern because they can lead to unauthorized access to protected health information (PHI) stored or transmitted by connected devices. Breaches of patient data through compromised IoT devices can result in HIPAA violations, legal consequences, and reputational damage to healthcare organizations.
Potential risks of IoT attacks include:
See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide