Smart but vulnerable devices

With the name smart or smart in English we call any device or device connected to the Internet. This implies that, inside, it has a minicomputer or a motherboard with certain advanced functions that are the ones that endow it with that intelligence.

But that intelligence is not active, that is, it depends on how the manufacturer and its subsequent owner program it.

We have been living with computers for several decades and the love-hate relationship allows many of us to be aware of how they facilitate many tasks but the dangers of having Internet connected constantly without security measures (such as a firewall or antivirus) and without updating the software assiduously.

The same goes for mobile devices. Android is the main victim of mobile malware and basically affects outdated smartphones. Not only smart phones, but also televisions or other devices with Android installed.

We have recently seen what happens when the connected technology is not up to date. The Winery ransomware attack took advantage of a Windows vulnerability that had been discovered the previous month.

Attacks of this kind do not involve the use of magic. They simply take advantage of the holes in the form of obsolete software that the connected devices have.

And here lies the main security problem of the Internet of Things: smart devices but with obsolete software.

The main cause is the very nature of these devices. We recently lived with them and, while updating a PC or a smartphone is relatively simple, the same thing does not happen with a device designed to work and that does not require maintenance at the software level by the user.

Connected devices can serve a botnet to attack large companies or public institutions

Does this mean that anyone can access connected devices of a home automation and take control without stepping on the floor of my house? It is not as easy as it seems but it is possible.

Another example: on the Internet you will find with relative ease pages that collect images from webcams around the world. Private cameras, some of private homes, which as they have not changed the default password, share their images with everyone.