What South Africans Need to Know About Smart Devices – From Cars to Cots
While in the past, obscure skills and knowledge were needed to break into and start a car and other smart devices, today, thieves and anyone else can easily find all that info online and sometimes even on social media.
12/09/2023
We live in a world surrounded by smart
devices – from our pockets to our driveways and
living rooms. These advancements offer
convenience, and in many cases, extra security.
But when gadgets are fitted with computing power
and internet connectivity, they also become a
target for remote hackers, says Carey van
Vlaanderen, CEO of
ESET South Africa
.
Smart cars meet smart hackers
Earlier
this year, a TikTok trend helped thieves hack
certain models of Kia, Hyundai cars. According
to
Bloomberg, videos about the so-called Kia
Challenge showed mostly teenagers giving
instructions on how to unlock certain models of
Kia and Hyundai cars. By inserting a USB cable
into a broken steering column, TikTok videos
show, thieves can hotwire an engine – much like
the way that screwdrivers typically come in
handy for the same reason. While in the past,
obscure skills and knowledge were needed to
break into and start a car, today, thieves and
anyone else can easily find all that info online
and sometimes even on social media.
Van
Vlaanderen says several ethical hackers, who use
their skills to identify security
vulnerabilities to publicly raise awareness,
have found vulnerabilities in various smart car
models that allowed them to start them, sound
their horns, or flash their lights - all done
remotely or from close vicinity. “Unfortunately,
there is not much car owners can do about
cybersecurity of their vehicles aside from
having a general awareness about the
vulnerabilities inherent to any device connected
to the internet and to take steps as advised by
manufacturers as and when needed.”
Get savvy about smart home technology
She adds
that one of the biggest attractions of smart
home technology, particularly in South Africa,
is using internet-connected devices to secure
personal dwellings remotely. “Despite the ease
smart home security devices provide for
protecting homes against theft, damage, or
accidents, smart home devices also create the
risk of lowering personal data security. Two
major flaws in connected homes make them
susceptible to attacks; vulnerable local
networks and weak IoT devices.”
Wi-Fi
connections can be at risk if they have simple
default names or easy-to-guess passwords. Even
though some smart devices come with built-in
security features, van Vlaanderen says it’s
essential for owners to take extra precautions.
This includes setting up strong passwords and
using two-factor authentication. This means when
you try to log in, you'll need an extra code or
approval from your phone or a special app to
access the device.
Monitoring your baby securely
“The same principles hold true for
internet-connected baby monitors. There are
examples of distressed parents discovering that
their baby monitors have been breached by
strangers, and while these cases are relatively
rare – they do happen from time to time,” she
says.
The motives for hackers trying to
access a baby monitor may vary, from playing an
elaborate prank to gathering information for
more nefarious purposes, such as stealing
personal information overheard on the monitor,
or confirming that no one is home so that the
house can be burgled.
“Wi-Fi baby
monitors are more exposed to hacking because
they connect to the home router and, often, out
to the public internet. The latter supports
functionality which allows parents to view the
video feed via a mobile app, wherever they are.
While this could provide peace-of-mind when out
and about, it also opens the door to remote
hackers, who might be scouring the web looking
for unsecured cameras to hijack,” notes van
Vlaanderen.
How to protect your smart devices and online privacy
Securing smart devices is crucial in today’s interconnected digital world. Here are van Vlaanderen’s top tips to help ensure the safety of your devices:
- Change default passwords and always use strong passwords.
- Update your device’s firmware and software regularly. Manufacturers often release updates to fix known security vulnerabilities.
- Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication.
- Turn off any unnecessary features on the device. If you don't need your smart device to listen for voice commands disable the microphone.
- Use a trusted home security solution like ESET to ensure your online protection and privacy.
- Educate yourself about the security features of any smart device before purchasing.