The internet of things refers to the interconnected systems of devices that access the web to improve functionality. Current estimates suggest that there are around 15 billion devices connected to the internet of things, which range from printers to vacuum cleaners and washing machines. The convenience that these devices can provide is hard to dismiss, but in spite of the fact that this is the case many of these devices use open source software.
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that the use of open source software leaves a lot of backdoors for hackers to enter through. According to an analyst at a cybersecurity firm known as Mandiant, the IoT may be the next big target for hackers who are hiding out in the dark web.
2022 saw ransomware reaching a new peak, and it seems like 2023 will be all about the IoT and how hackers might be able to exploit it. This might make certain critical devices such as cars and medical equipment less safe to use than might have been the case otherwise if they are connected to the Internet of Things. Hackers can even use the IoT as an entrypoint to target critical infrastructure such as power grids.
The biggest threat here is how organized hackers are because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up allowing them to develop effective schemes. These schemes might be difficult to tackle, since hackers are notorious for switching up their strategies as soon as cybersecurity enforcers begin to close in on them.
According to all of the experts, it’s not a matter of if hackers will begin targeting the IoT but a matter of when. Unless steps are taken to make the IoT more secure, it will continue to be a massive risk. The large variety of devices makes it difficult to patch them, which is yet another flaw that would have to be rectified before things start to get out of hand.
illustration: Freepik / Vectorpouch
Read next: The US states where hackers launch the most cyberattacks and steal the most money
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that the use of open source software leaves a lot of backdoors for hackers to enter through. According to an analyst at a cybersecurity firm known as Mandiant, the IoT may be the next big target for hackers who are hiding out in the dark web.
2022 saw ransomware reaching a new peak, and it seems like 2023 will be all about the IoT and how hackers might be able to exploit it. This might make certain critical devices such as cars and medical equipment less safe to use than might have been the case otherwise if they are connected to the Internet of Things. Hackers can even use the IoT as an entrypoint to target critical infrastructure such as power grids.
The biggest threat here is how organized hackers are because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up allowing them to develop effective schemes. These schemes might be difficult to tackle, since hackers are notorious for switching up their strategies as soon as cybersecurity enforcers begin to close in on them.
According to all of the experts, it’s not a matter of if hackers will begin targeting the IoT but a matter of when. Unless steps are taken to make the IoT more secure, it will continue to be a massive risk. The large variety of devices makes it difficult to patch them, which is yet another flaw that would have to be rectified before things start to get out of hand.
illustration: Freepik / Vectorpouch
Read next: The US states where hackers launch the most cyberattacks and steal the most money
