The Internet of Things (IoT) is the term used to describe the network of devices that are connected not only with each other, but also the internet. These devices have sensors, software, and other devices that allow them to collect and exchange information, usually for the benefit and ease of use of whoever owns them.
Many household objects will be part of the IoT. Fitness trackers, smart lighting systems and thermostats, ring doorbells, virtual assistants and in-car entertainment systems are all IoT devices. Crucially, as with anything that can connect to the internet, network security needs to be taken into consideration when using these devices. With this blog the aim is to improve your understanding of IoT security to better protect yourself and your devices.
Identifying Common Threats
As IoT devices all gather, store and transmit data in some form or another, it’s important to be vigilant about who might want to access that data and how they might try to do it. Here are some of the threats that your IoT devices might face:
- Tampering – even with network security measures in place, devices will be prone to physical tampering that can a) impact their functionality and b) make the data they contain accessible to others.
- Data breaches – if the data your device transmits is intercepted or compromised you could be vulnerable to cyber attacks. Companies regularly pay millions of dollars over data breach lawsuits, so even if your device is from a trusted brand, it doesn’t automatically make it immune to IoT cybersecurity
- Hacking – hackers may be able to gain unauthorized access to your devices and use them for malicious purposes e.g. stealing your sensitive information or using your accounts to commit fraud.
- Distributed denial-of-service attacks – this is where cyber attackers overwhelm a device with internet traffic to prevent it from functioning as normal.
Anything that can connect to the internet will likely face some kind of cyberattack attempt. With IoT devices the major risk is one device’s network being compromised and putting any connected devices at risk.
Best Practices for IoT Security
Here are some of the key ways you can manage the threats to your IoT devices.
- Stay up to date with updates – one of the most common features of system updates are patches to cover security vulnerabilities and protect against new threats.
- Up your authentication requirements – some devices allow you to set access controls and user authentication methods e.g. only users with a certain level of access are able to change passwords or settings.
- Regularly change your passwords – a lot of IoT devices come with preset passwords, but these should be updated in exchange for your own secure passwords.
- Carefully monitor activity – if any of your devices start to behave in an unusual way or you see evidence of activity that you don’t recognise, it could be a sign of a security breach.
Securing Your IoT Network
As well as ensuring the network security settings on your individual devices are all optimized, you can take further steps to secure your entire IoT network. One way of doing this is through network segmentation – this is where you create separate network segments for your difference devices. Keeping your IoT devices and your personal devices running on different network segments minimizes the damage a cyberattack can cause.
Protecting your router with firewalls or using a VPN to encrypt your network traffic are also effective ways to filter what can interact with your IoT devices, or eavesdrop on your online activity.
Safeguarding Sensitive Data
Many IoT devices gather data as part of their daily usage. For some devices this is part of the incentive behind using them. But it’s still good practice to limit data collection wherever possible. In situations where you need or want to retain the data your IoT device collects, e.g. ring doorbell videos , consider downloading it from the device and storing it on a secure external hard drive instead of on the device itself. This will help to prevent unauthorized access, without requiring you to lose the data that has been gathered.
When the time comes for these files and data to be deleted, make sure they’re wiped entirely.
Emerging Technologies and Trends
More and more everyday objects are becoming part of the IoT – it won’t be possible to avoid coming into contact with it. Even with the potential risks to network security, this is a good thing, as this high level of interconnectedness will make day-to-day tasks much easier and more streamlined.
The development of IoT technology also means a development in IoT cybersecurity. Blockchain technology – where transactions and activity can be recorded securely across a network of devices – uses state of the art cryptographic techniques, and will likely be used to enhance the security of IoT in the future. AI and Machine Learning will also play a part in detecting threats to cybersecurity, with its ability to recognise patterns or malicious behaviour far surpassing our own.
Protect Your IoT Device with Iolo
Don’t assume that because your IoT devices represent the current pinnacle of household technology that they’re automatically immune to cyber threats. It’s up to you to take the correct precautions and maintain the security of your network.
At iolo we pride ourselves on creating products that empower people to comprehensively protect their PCs so that they can use the internet without fear of cyber attacks, identity theft, or fraudulent activity. Security doesn’t have to be complicated, but it should be complete. Learn more about our products today.
