What Is IoT Security?

Internet of Things (IoT) security protects IoT devices and the networks to which they connect from cyber attacks.  IoT devices can include anything that connects to your internet including doorbell cameras, baby monitors, smart bulbs and thermostats. This presents a cybersecurity risk because anything that can connect to your internet is at risk of being hacked. There are a wide array of techniques to mitigate and reduce the impact of successful cyber attacks and one of them is improving your IoT security. 

Continue reading to learn the importance of IoT security and how to secure your IoT devices.

What Is IoT?

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of physical devices that connect and exchange data with each other and cloud-based systems over the internet. These devices are likely used in your own daily life. Some examples of IoT devices include smart home devices, wearable technologies and personal medical devices. Vulnerable and unprotected IoT devices are at risk of getting hacked and exposing the victim’s sensitive information to cybercriminals, who can then use the information for malicious acts or financial gain. 

The Importance of IoT Security

It’s essential to implement IoT security measures because your IoT devices are one of many pathways that cybercriminals can use to breach your home WiFi network. Victims commonly overlook the vulnerability of their smart devices, not knowing the potentially devastating consequences of leaving them unprotected. 

IoT devices now require even greater attention to security than they have before, due to the increase in remote and hybrid work. Without IoT security precautions in place, cybercriminals can successfully breach an individual’s home network, giving cybercriminals access to all devices on that same network, which may also include work devices.

Security and Other Risks You Could Encounter With IoT

Some of the most common security threats associated with unprotected IoT devices include unauthorized access, data breaches, cross-device attacks and DDoS attacks.

Unauthorized access

Unauthorized access is the successful breach of a victim’s system, server or device. Unauthorized access to a victim’s IoT device poses a great risk because it can allow cybercriminals to steal private data, commit identity theft and even steal money through fraud.

Data breaches

Data breaches are when a cybercriminal breaks into your network and steals information. Oftentimes, these attacks are made possible due to cybercriminals being able to bypass vulnerable systems that lack security measures. Cybercriminals may install malicious software onto your IoT devices, otherwise known as malware. When malware is installed on your device it can do many things such as access your IoT device’s camera and microphone. 

Cross-device attacks

Cross-device attacks are when one IoT device has been compromised and other devices on the same network also become compromised. This is accomplished by one IoT device being included in a botnet, a collection of interconnected devices that are infected and controlled by a common type of malware. These infected devices can go undetected because the malware’s purpose isn’t to initially carry out attacks but to continue spreading malware to other devices on the same network. 

DDoS attacks

A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack works to damage the traffic levels of a targeted server by overloading it with a flood of internet traffic. Once the traffic overburdens the server it can lead to it running sluggish, or in severe cases, crashing completely.  

A threat actor can launch a DDoS attack by using just your IP address and overwhelming your IoT device with an unusual amount of traffic. This traffic can cause your device to disconnect from the internet ultimately causing your device to shut down completely. IoT botnets are commonly used by cybercriminals to launch DDoS attacks to disrupt a service. 

How To Secure IoT Devices

Here are some best practices you can start implementing to secure your IoT devices.

1. Use strong passwords

Creating strong passwords is the fundamental foundation to ensure your IoT devices are protected and secured. A strong password is unique, at least 16 characters long and includes upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Using unique and strong passwords will secure the accounts for your IoT devices from being compromised. 

2. Secure your WiFi network

Your WiFi network is a gateway cybercriminals can use to access your IoT devices. If a cybercriminal gains access to your network, they can exploit any connected devices and the entire WiFi network itself. This risk can be mitigated by changing your WiFi router’s default password to one that is strong and unique. Make sure to also change your WiFi’s default network name to a new one that doesn’t include personal information such as your first or last name. One additional measure you can take to safeguard your WiFi is turning on encryption via your WiFi router’s admin settings.

3. Disconnect your IoT devices when not in use

Reducing your attack surface can be done by simply disconnecting IoT devices when you’re not using them. This will mitigate the risk of attacks because you eliminate that device as a pathway to gain access to your network. 

4. Adjust your IoT device settings

It’s also important to evaluate your IoT devic settings and disable any features and services that you won’t be using. Oftentimes, these devices can come with a variety of features that may not be necessary or relevant to you. These idle features present a cybersecurity risk because they create a larger attack surface. 

5. Stay on top of updates

Making sure all of your IoT devices have the latest updates is what allows them to run smoothly and stay protected. These updates provide critical security patches for any known vulnerabilities and also improve performance. Leaving your devices out of date only makes it easier for cybercriminals to exploit them.

6. Improve physical security measures

Taking preventive measures also requires you to consider your physical surroundings. Not only do IoT device owners need to consider online threats but also understand the risk of physical attacks such as tampering. It’s important to physically secure IoT devices to ensure that they are not physically accessible to threat actors. Some easy ways to achieve this are to ensure your IoT devices are in tamper-proof cases, stowed away and out of reach when not in use.

7. Set up MFA on all devices

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) acts as an additional security layer to your accounts because it requires one or more forms of authentication in order to log in. This safeguards your accounts in the event that a cybercriminal gets a hold of your password. With MFA enabled, the cybercriminal would also need an additional way to authenticate who they are, which they wouldn’t be able to do. To protect your IoT device, enable MFA on all accounts that have it available.

Safeguarding IoT Devices From Evolving Threats

As IoT devices have become an intrinsic part of our daily lives, the potential for cybercriminals to take advantage of them poses a serious threat to cybersecurity. To safeguard your IoT devices, consider implementing the best practices mentioned above. An important action you can take today to enhance your security and mitigate risk is to establish unique and robust passwords across all of your devices and accounts.