The vast IoT (Internet of Things) market sector includes industrial, consumer, banking, retail, manufacturing and healthcare organisations. The global use of IoT devices has now become the playing field for cybercriminals. IoT threats are continuing to rise and constantly finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities on the array of IoT devices that are launched almost daily. IoT devices range from IP washing machines to network-connected servers.

 

Getting caught up in the opportunistic trend that’s gone global, IoT manufacturers have given little thought to security which has directly contributed to the rise of malware. This malicious malware is used to take over these devices to amass botnets used for such things as DDoS (Denial-of- Service) attacks, spam and a variety of other crushing cyber plagues.

 

The number of devices in current and future use forces IoT manufacturers to embed security into these devices. The massive threat of unsecure IoT devices causing damage to whole industries like critical infrastructure and power stations could prove to have disastrous outcomes. Even though additional security for IoT devices will cause an increase in the cost of such devices, it is a price that must be accepted to prevent damaging repercussions.

 

Here are 2 simple tips to remember when using IoT devices:

 

1. It all begins with passwords. Be diligent with your password protection processes.

 

2. Regular software updates prevent attackers gaining access through known vulnerabilities on your network.

 

While legislative efforts may result in the best long-term solution, it isn’t an immediate adjustment. There are many ways to prevent IoT devices from becoming infected and the aforementioned tips should be practised to prevent these devices from getting infected, confidential data being compromised, or causing further damage to other devices connected to the network.