Quick Take

And, IoT devices — those nice and convenient smart devices we use at home, in classic offices, and our industries — are often full of vulnerabilities. And hackers know it. They use these vulnerabilities to infiltrate networks, steal sensitive information or just create havoc. Below, I discuss recent IoT cyberattacks, point to the common security misses and provide real-world solutions for securing your IoT ecosystems.

What Are IoT Vulnerabilities?

Everything from thermostats to industrial conveyor belts has become smarter thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT). But here’s the thing: smart does not mean secure. (All IoT devices are small computers with limited resources.) Manufacturers skimp on cost over security aspects.

Some of the most common vulnerabilities are:

• Default credentials: Lots of devices come with usernames such as “admin” and passwords like “12345” — and let’s be honest, most people do not go out of their way to change them.
• Unencrypted communications: Data sent unprotected over the internet is similar to a postcard anybody can read.
• Outdated firmware: One would assume that companies continuously force security updates. Spoiler: many don’t.
• Absence of Network Segmentation: IoT devices are often placed on the same network as sensitive systems. This is like rolling out the red carpet for attackers.

Case Studies: Recent Attacks Targeting IoT Devices

Real-world examples are my favorite because they cue us in that this isn’t a theoretical problem, this is a thing, it’s happening. Here are some recent examples of this:

Mirai Botnet Resurrection

If you’ve been in cybersecurity long enough, you know the original Mirai botnet (which flooded the internet in 2016). Guess what? It’s back, mutated and meaner. Based on insecure IoT devices such as DVRs, routers, and security cameras, attackers have been stuffing botnets with thousands of these devices to carry out Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. In a recent attack, parts of one ISP’s services were out for hours — not because their servers were weak but because the traffic was enormous.

Smart Thermostat Nightmare

Last year, a hacker used a vulnerability in smart thermostats to control the heat in a warehouse filled with valuable inventory remotely. Sound niche? The damage cost more than $250,000. Poorly secured IoT used for industrial operations can allow attackers to take over physical operations.

Baby Monitor Eavesdropping

Another one that deeply affects me personally — hackers finding places to listen in via baby monitors (with some even yelling and verbally assaulting parents and children). This is more than the money; it’s so violating.

Security Weaknesses Found in Internet of Things (IoT) Devices

Top Offenders — How IoT Devices Continue To Fail Us

1. Weak default settings: We’ve discussed this before. Any device that allows “admin/admin” to pass without flagging it is just not built right.
2. Hardcoded passwords or credentials: Many devices include credentials baked into their firmware. Once these are found, they can’t be altered.
3. Irresponsible data collection: Devices that collect more data than they need (and not even secure it).
4. Poor logging: Like driving without a dashboard—you can’t know something went wrong until after it’s too late.
5. Assuming local networks are secure by default: The most prominent step in securing IoT devices is trusting local networks. Spoiler: they aren’t.

Strategies for IoT Security

How do you prevent your “smart” devices from becoming not-so-smart? Here’s what works:

1. Change Default Credentials: The very first step you need to take when purchasing any IoT device. Not only on the device itself—control interfaces, web dashboards, etc.
2. Keep Firmware Updated: I get it — this is where we all get lazy. However, patches usually fix critical vulnerabilities. Automate updates if possible.
3. Network Segmentation:
   • Don’t let your IoT devices run rampant on the same network as your work machines or your mission-critical servers.
   • Segregate IoT traffic with VLANs or different SSIDs.
4. Enable multi-factor authentication for all accounts:
   • Assume breach: Use a zero-trust model: Treat every user and device as potentially compromised.
   • Demand multi-factor authentication (MFA), whenever possible.
5. Monitor Network Traffic:
   • Look for anomalous device behavior or contact with suspicious external IPs.
   • IDSs (Intrusion Detection Systems) can perform miracles in discovering deviations.
6. Default Configurations Should Never Be Trusted:
   • Examine every setting in the admin dashboard—switch off features you aren’t actively using.
   • Or better yet, try a network security expert. (This is where we step in.)

Real-Time Monitoring Tools for the Internet of Things

But here’s what I’ve learned from years of troubleshooting things as diverse as firewalls to broken APIs: The right tools will save you hours. When it comes to IoT, they’re no longer optional.

Here are some I’d recommend:

• IoT Security Monitoring Platforms: Tools such as Microsoft Defender for IoT specifically target the identification of exploits against smart devices.
• Network scanners: Use tools such as Nmap to find all devices on your network (and boot any freeloaders or undesirables).
• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Snort, Zeek, or Security Onion—watch traffic and raise an alert on suspicious action.
• Log Aggregators: Splunk, Graylog, etc — collect and analyze logs for insight into device behavior.
• Deep Packet Inspection Firewall: A stronger firewall can stop any suspicious IoT traffic even before it enters your primary network.

Conclusion: Development of Secure IoT Systems

Sealing off IoT isn’t a one-time or one-bowl kind of affair. It’s sort of like with a car: routine inspections, oil changes, upgrades are not optional. You can’t just slap a firewall (or label your solution as “AI-powered”) and call it a day.

IoT devices underpin key elements of our lives and businesses — if it fails, the impact will reverberate. I’m going to tell you right now, for all practical purposes — and I’ve been working in IT since muux machines and Slammer worms — that the fate of your devices is not the only question in play when it comes to IoT vulnerabilities: It’s the ecosystem-wide question.

If there’s a takeaway for anyone, whether you’re securing a smart fridge or a factory floor, it’s this: Assume nothing. Audit everything.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, I mean, I understand. IoT safety is not a plug-and-play matter. I’ve sat across desks from industries who have panicked over breaches they could have avoided. But really, building an intentional and multi-layered security posture is worth all of the effort. We’ve done it for banks, for factories, for little home setups. And the peace of mind? Priceless.

Anyway, if you’ll excuse me, my coffee is getting cold, and I’m going to need more caffeine to go back to whatever I was doing today.

— Sanjay Seth, eight days feeling the afterglow of DefCon, and vowing to secure the IoT maze.