From the course: Ethical Hacking: Hacking IoT Devices

Outlining IoT threats

From the course: Ethical Hacking: Hacking IoT Devices

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Outlining IoT threats

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- [Instructor] Malicious actors are constantly launching attacks and attempting to exploit IoT vulnerabilities. In this segment, we'll discuss IoT threats and security issues that can allow malicious actors to gain access to a device. Today, the IoT industry is rapidly growing, and manufacturers continue to develop smart devices for businesses and consumers. Concurrently, criminal organizations and malicious actors are investing a significant amount of money, time, and resources in gathering information on IoT devices, along with the ways they can exploit them. As the IoT expands and more and more devices join, it will become easier to launch an attack. A couple of things that are required to launch a successful attack are threats and opportunities. Threats are potential negative or harmful events or conditions that can have adverse effects on an individual, organization, project, or system. Opportunities are favorable or advantageous circumstances or events that make it possible to accomplish something. The threat of a possible attack on IoT devices are real. With the right combination of threats, along with opportunity, malicious actors can exploit a vulnerability to launch an attack or disrupt the integrity of a system. When dealing with the IoT, an attack might not only impact data, but also impact physical security, such as devices used in medical facilities and critical infrastructure applications. So, let's talk about some of the IoT issues and vulnerabilities that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to a device. One is similar design. Now, several types of systems are mass-produced and similar in their design, meaning one type of attack can be replicated across all similar devices. There's a lack of security updates. Many times, an IoT device is sold once and done, in that vendors do not support upgrading or patching the operating system. Many IoT devices have low power and minimal memory and don't have sufficient resources for traditional security methods. We must also be aware of the issues that can impact privacy. IoT devices often collect and transmit sensitive data. Inadequate encryption, insecure data storage, or data leaks can compromise the privacy of users and organizations. IoT devices with cameras or microphones can be exploited to invade individuals' privacy by unauthorized monitoring or recording. The reality is that when the concept of the Internet of Things was first developed, enterprise security methods were not taken into consideration. The cost of making a smart device is a relatively small expense, and manufacturers are rushing IoT products to the market. If we don't start addressing security issues and test IoT devices for vulnerabilities, there is a huge potential for a cyber attack. Now let's test your knowledge. Discuss IoT threats and security issues that can allow malicious actors to gain access to a device. You can record your answer on the Challenge worksheet.

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