3 Risks of IoT You Should Be Aware Of
The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) has made life easier, but have your devices become safer ever since or have you become even more vulnerable?
IoT, in essence, is everything connected to the internet, so it is more like the “Things of the Internet” that communicate with each other. IoT is made up of devices, from simple sensors or beacons to smartphones and wearables, to cars, appliances, and even buildings. These are your smartwatches that monitor your health every day, your smart TV that is connected to the internet, and your car installed with a car tracking device from Singapore. This allows your car to send a message to your home assistant that you are heading back to your home to switch on the lights, tune the TV to your liked channel so that you feel welcomed after reaching your house. Sweet, right?
Its network allows the opportunity to be more efficient in what you do. It saves time, money, and even emissions in the process. However, in doing so, it requires an information collection from its users: you. This can actually be riskier than you think it is. Indeed, consumers are fascinated with the latest technology but are not aware of the risks.
In this article, we would point out the top 3 risks of the IoT and what you need to know about it.
1. Cybercriminals
IoT solutions and devices are designed for convenience over security and because you have shared your personal information to the network your devices are operating on, you have most likely opened your details to the cyberworld.
Cybercriminals could access your IoT devices at any time using them to hack into other connected devices, compromise your physical safety, spam your emails with malicious tech, steal your private data including your financial details, and even stop your device from working until a ransom is paid.
Because with the IoT, all processes are automatic and most of the time it does not require authentication. Devices themselves are the ones who come up with preset passwords to make setups simpler.
To prevent this, make sure to set passwords from your devices to your WiFi. This small act can be your biggest line of defence from cybercriminals.
2. Vehicle Hackers
The expanding capabilities of smart cars are the most exciting development in the auto industry in decades, as an increasing number of vehicles are connected to IoT to provide a myriad of safety features and services to drivers but that is in the aspect of road and driving safety alone.
Cars with smart tracking devices are highly vulnerable to hacking. As it is connected to the internet, yet again, hackers could easily disable the network your vehicle is operating on and could turn the safety measures that where your car was built upon against you. You could be losing control with your vehicle.
It will not be easy to tell too if your car is affected or is under someone else’s control, it is not like a computer that has built-in anti-malware software, hence, knowing your network is a must, check in with every single device that is connected for a single unknown device could cause a catastrophic hole in your security.
Also, purchasing your IoT devices from reliable IoT solutions in Singapore could tip the scales to your favour.
3. Personal Security
A smart home is made up of several different devices connected to the IoT, each with a specific set of functions. No matter how different these devices are from one another, they have the shared goal of streamlining the tasks and simplifying the lives of their users. Together they paint an enticing image of comfort and convenience. However, just as these devices have revolutionized home living, they are as vulnerable as its weakest link.
Say you have a friend come over and want to connect to your network to play his playlist, and in a matter of seconds that you have failed to encrypt his device, you can already be sabotaging your privacy. What you can do to prevent this is to have a separate open network for visitors to avoid latencies and security issues of the internet.
Your convenience, your responsibility
Privacy is a big issue with IoT solutions. All the data must be encrypted so that data about your financial status or how much milk you consume is not common knowledge at the workplace or with your friends.
There is a chance that the software can be hacked and your personal information misused. The possibilities are endless. Your prescription being changed or your account details being hacked could put you at risk. Hence, all the safety risks become the consumer’s responsibility. Keep in mind that If it is a computer or device that connects to the internet world, then it is hackable.
If you are looking for reliable IoT solutions and or telematics services in Singapore, visit our website and let our experts help you today.
