The hackers who got into your computer or smartphone are now taking aim at the Internet of Things.
The connected toothbrush, sports gear with embedded sensors and smart refrigerators are just a few of the objects showcasing innovations at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
They are all impressive, but “they’re all breachable,” said Kevin Haley, director of Symantec Security Response, while attending the huge high-tech trade show.
“If the object is connected to the Internet, you will find it, and if it has an OS [operating system] you can hack it,” he said at the Las Vegas expo.
Haley said the pace of innovation could outstrip the security protecting the devices.
The devices displayed the CES show included an array of gear from a connected basketball to baby clothing which monitors an infant’s breathing and positioning.
And security researchers have shown the possibility, at least in theory, of hacking into automobile electronics or medical devices like pacemakers.
Bitdefender chief security strategist Catalin Cosoi said the threat remains mostly theoretical for now.
However, Cosoi said some new hack in inevitable which could cause people to take notice. The introduction of Internet-enabled door locks at CES poses the obvious question of whether the devices can be compromised by hackers.
Alex Colcernian, director of product development at Unikey, which powers Kwikset remote-control locks, said the technology includes “military-grade encryption” to stay secure.
Leo Herlin of French-based Medissimo, which introduced a smart pill box, said the system is “extremely secure” to prevent unwanted intrusions.
One factor that mitigates the risk is that with billions of objects likely to be connected, the value to hackers could be limited in most cases: Would a hacker penetrate a refrigerator to steal someone’s grocery list?
“You’ve got to be smart consumers when you’re using a smart device,” said Randy Overton, national product trainer for South Korean giant LG, which showed off its smart appliances that can communicate by text message with the owner.
To allay potential concerns, computer chip giant Intel announced at CES that it would offer its McAfee security service for connected devices free of charge,.
Intel chief executive Brian Krzanich told a CES keynote that offering this level of security would “allow this ecosystem to flourish.”
Equipment maker Cisco estimates that 50 billion objects worldwide will be connected by 2020.
“It is impossible to put security software on every object,” Cisco’s David Orain said.
The answer is to look and address “abnormal activity” linked to the connected devices, Orain said, adding that this is part of what Cisco offers clients.
One of the areas where security concerns are paramount are in industrial applications.
Andreas Haegele of the France-based digital security firm Gemalto said electronic tracking has been done for decades for things like shipping containers and petroleum platforms, and that the security of these objects is now in focus.
US cybersecurity officials have also stepped up warnings for hacking into so-called critical infrastructure like pipelines and power grids.
Haley said that last month’s publicized hacking into a nanny cam drew headlines, but that no real damage was done.
However, the same technique could be used for industrial espionage.
“If I can break into the security cameras of my competitor’s factory, I can see exactly how the factory works,” Haley said.
FRAUD ALLEGED: The leader of an opposition alliance made allegations of electoral irregularities and called for a protest in Tirana as European leaders are to meet Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party scored a large victory in parliamentary elections, securing him his fourth term, official results showed late on Tuesday. The Socialist Party won 52.1 percent of the vote on Sunday compared with 34.2 percent for an alliance of opposition parties led by his main rival Sali Berisha, according to results released by the Albanian Central Election Commission. Diaspora votes have yet to be counted, but according to initial results, Rama was also leading there. According to projections, the Socialist Party could have more lawmakers than in 2021 elections. At the time, it won 74 seats in the
A Croatian town has come up with a novel solution to solve the issue of working parents when there are no public childcare spaces available: pay grandparents to do it. Samobor, near the capital, Zagreb, has become the first in the country to run a “Grandmother-Grandfather Service,” which pays 360 euros (US$400) a month per child. The scheme allows grandparents to top up their pension, but the authorities also hope it will boost family ties and tackle social isolation as the population ages. “The benefits are multiple,” Samobor Mayor Petra Skrobot told reporters. “Pensions are rather low and for parents it is sometimes
CONTROVERSY: During the performance of Israel’s entrant Yuval Raphael’s song ‘New Day Will Rise,’ loud whistles were heard and two people tried to get on stage Austria’s JJ yesterday won the Eurovision Song Contest, with his operatic song Wasted Love triumphing at the world’s biggest live music television event. After votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, JJ gave Austria its first victory since bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst’s 2014 triumph. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into yesterday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel — whose participation drew protests — on 357 and Estonia on 356. “Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true,” 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose
CANCER: Jose Mujica earned the moniker ‘world’s poorest president’ for giving away much of his salary and living a simple life on his farm, with his wife and dog Tributes poured in on Tuesday from across Latin America following the death of former Uruguayan president Jose “Pepe” Mujica, an ex-guerrilla fighter revered by the left for his humility and progressive politics. He was 89. Mujica, who spent a dozen years behind bars for revolutionary activity, lost his battle against cancer after announcing in January that the disease had spread and he would stop treatment. “With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our comrade Pepe Mujica. President, activist, guide and leader. We will miss you greatly, old friend,” Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi wrote on X. “Pepe, eternal,” a cyclist shouted out minutes later,
RSS