Hacked fridges and other dangers lurking in the ‘internet of shit’ | Letters
A software security specialist has warned that millions of internet-connected devices are already part of criminal botnets, urging users to unplug vulnerable appliances.
Alex Pearce recently unplugged his fridge from the internet after it became headline news. The specialist writing this letter suggests he should have done so weeks earlier.
There are millions of these devices, known as the 'internet of things' in marketing but the 'internet of shit' by engineers. They share common flaws: firmware is rarely updated, security features are weak, and many can run without an internet connection.
These gadgets are already part of botnets used to attack other devices on the internet. The specialist notes that AI has not created anything novel but has massively reduced the time needed to find exploits.
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