A rise in the number of internet security attacks has led to an increase in concern surrounding the safety of information stored on the internet. The increase in attacks is due, in part, to the increased presence of the Internet of Things (IoT).
For those new to the concept, IoT is an internet development in which everyday objects (think TVs, refrigerators, thermostats, etc.) have the ability to connect to the web, constantly sending and receiving data.
Among the more well-known targets this year included Yahoo!. Over 500 million accounts were hacked, leading to a hospital in the UK canceling medical procedures (including surgeries) as a precaution. Attacks like these are typically carried out by hackers using “bots” – devices that can access and install software on websites with poor security.
In addition to attacks on large corporations, some attacks have hit small-scale targets—like personal security devices such as home security cameras.
Most often, these cameras are a part of CCTV setups using digital video recorders. One such security camera breech occurred though the Mirai company, which has since offered a recall on the devices.
What does this mean for IoT users? As we continue to add technology to the items in our lives, there is a greater likelihood of hacker events occurring. So start securing your data in 2017!