The dangers of the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming increasingly present in our lives, and many of the devices we use daily can be not only interconnected with each other but also connected to the network of networks, which brings with it something we are all familiar with: cybersecurity threats.

Marc Goodman is a global security specialist who has sought to warn about the emerging danger that the Internet of Things will bring to our lives as it becomes more common and is implemented both privately and in businesses.

This person, who had previously worked as a security advisor for the FBI, warns that the security world must evolve further, since with IoT it is possible to hack a car remotely and cause a serious accident.

On this subject, the security specialist stated that nowadays a standard car has more than 250 microchips, which can be hacked remotely, making the airbag deploy or even causing the car to brake abruptly from anywhere in the world, which is a significant danger that manufacturers must take into account.

IoT is not only focused on cars but also on our homes, since many household appliances and other devices such as smart meters can also have Internet access and be susceptible to some kind of attack.

He mentioned that each device connected to a power outlet has its own signature. When a smart TV or any other device is connected to the electrical grid, the system knows what is connected and all the information is gathered, making it possible to know at any time what is being done at home.

Goodman states that there are companies looking for ways to analyze the different fluctuations in energy usage to deduce which pixels are being used on our smart TV. With this knowledge, reverse engineering techniques could be used, and based on the electricity consumed, it could be determined what kind of programs we are watching.

With this level of control, it is expected that measures will be taken so that not everyone has access to this kind of information, or is able to establish a connection with the device, which would represent a significant danger.

For example, with the widespread deployment of smart meters, there will be a massive collection of personal data by both governments and public services, allowing exhaustive monitoring of what we do at home, something that can be known just by checking the meter.

At our  computer maintenance company in Barcelona , we believe this is inherent to the logical evolution of technology, although many experts, like the one mentioned, claim that so much connectivity can pose a danger to our lives, since cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to obtain information, which is highly sought after nowadays.