Internet of Things Cyber Security Threats and Counter Measures
We are currently living in a post-PC era, in which everyone is connected to the internet via their smartphones, rather than personal computers. No one wants to be in possession of a phone that is unable to connect to the internet. If one were to go a day without using social media, he or she would feel as if they had missed out on a lot and had become disconnected from the rest of the world.
The Internet of Things (IoT), also known as the Internet of Things (IoT), is the interconnection and coordination of web-enabled electrical devices with one another over the internet, which gather, send, and perform actions based on information from the environment. As a result of the fact that it now supports and consists of everything from wireless sensor networks to computer systems, virtual worlds, virtual meetings (interactive technologies), and cloud computing, it has evolved into the Internet of everything. The advancement of technology has facilitated the development of a wide range of technological solutions, ranging from e-commerce to e-health.
With all of that in place, it presents its own set of difficulties. Through the Internet of Things, cyber-attacks have become more vulnerable to security threats, making them more common.
Viruses and Malware threat
In spite of the fact that there is no antivirus or firewall that can protect the entire network from such a security threat, viruses and malware continue to pose a significant threat to the Internet of Things. To make matters worse, the major key components of the Internet of Things (IoT) do not have security features such as the ability to install security software such as antiviruses. Due to the lack of security features on the majority of the major component devices, when a virus or malware attack occurs, it is quickly spread throughout the internet.
System updates are only performed on a small number of Internet of Things devices, and many of the remaining devices do not receive system updates, leaving many of them vulnerable to any risk simply because they have not been updated. As a result, when malware, which is a malicious programme that is written into systems for malicious purposes, attacks, it has the potential to bring down the entire organization’s computer systems. One such example is the Mirai malware, which was the most destructive malware in the Internet of Things era. It launched an attack on the 21st of October, 2016. It was skimming through the Internet of Things devices, attempting to log into them and infecting them with malware. It was successful, and a large portion of the internet went down, including Twitter, Netflix, CNN, Reddit, and many other sites.
Ease for the Hackers
By 2020, there will be more than 40 billion interconnected devices on the planet. Despite the fact that it appears to be an advantage, this poses a significant risk because security is a major threat and challenge for the Internet of Things. Since a growing number of devices are becoming increasingly connected to the internet, the security risks are increasing day by day. This is due to the fact that no one is considering security when developing Internet of Things devices. As a result, all of these interconnected devices are vulnerable to hackers, who find it amusing to assist them in devising strategies for exploiting an unprotected network. Additionally, the developers of IoT software and devices play an important role in encouraging hackers to use their products. They use default passwords that are simple and predictable, such as “admin,” which makes it easy for hackers to compromise the entire system by leaving the front door wide open. Due to the fact that there is no authentication in the internet of things, authentication is yet another significant challenge. Anyone can easily gain access to the internet, resulting in an endless number of security and privacy issues.
Things to do to make IoT better
Everyone should be able to take advantage of the Internet of Things’ services, but security and privacy must be carefully monitored to ensure that no one feels threatened when using the Internet of Things. Businesses require systems and devices that are not vulnerable to risks and that are protected from the risks associated with the Internet of Things (IoT). Devices, gateways, and data services are the three layers of the Internet of things, and each layer requires its own set of assurance measures and controls that are tailored to its specific requirements. In order to ensure the security of the device, developers must provide users with authentication, integrity, and privacy. It is critical for users to feel secure when logging into their accounts, and this can be accomplished by using passwords that are both unique and complex in a way that no one can guess.
