More than ever, Internet of Things (IoT) devices are at risk

 

The first half of the year saw almost 1.5 billion attacks on Internet of Things (IoT) devices, according to new Kaspersky study.

According to an examination of telemetry data from honeypots used by the company, cyber threats targeting IoT devices have surged by over 1000%. The total number of infection attempts in 2021's first half was 1,515,714,259. Only 639,155,942 people will be alive at the end of 2020.

To get access to IoT devices, most attackers turned to the telnet protocol. Researchers used this methodology to collect data on about 872 million people, or 58 percent of the population. The remainder (34%) and (8%) made use of SSH and web-based communication channels. The hacked devices in a botnet can be used by hackers to mine cryptocurrencies, execute DDoS attacks, or steal confidential data.

In the wake of the widespread adoption of IoT devices such as smartwatches and smart home accessories, security expert Dan Demeter of Kaspersky Lab says cyber criminals have successfully shifted their focus to this area.

Attacks increased in intensity as consumer interest in smart gadgets increased, he added. "Some people think they're not important enough to be hacked, but we've seen an increase in attacks on smart devices over the last year. Most of these attacks can be avoided, which is why we urge smart home owners to set up a solid security system that will keep them protected.

According to Kaspersky, users should keep their devices up to date with the latest software and change their default passwords to something more secure. Rebooting any strangely behaving gadgets will help clear them of infection.