The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the billions of physical devices around the world that are now connected to the Internet. These include surveillance cameras, lightbulbs, medical devices, pacemakers, smartphones, home routers, thermostats, printers, control systems and pretty much any device that is connected to the Internet, all collecting and sharing data. They have sensors that detect states or movement of equipment or materials and the data acquired by the sensors are transmitted over the network to a server. Location information can be derived as well.

The explosion of IoT devices has also increased cyberattacks on them. Hackers probe and access them via http, ftp or telnet ports to check what kind of devices they are. They also check for backdoor ports. Then they gain access by logging in via telnet (the common one, although they may also use other vulnerable ports) using default or weak username and password, and sometimes using dictionary attack. Once they gain access, they will install malware. Once malware is installed, the device will be under control of the hacker’s server, and is then used for further cyberattacks.

Hackers usually control hundreds of thousands of IoT devices all around the world that are used for DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attacks. These DDoS attacks can cause significant impact to companies being targeted.

IoT devices are specially vulnerable because they are usually online 24/7, they don’t have security or anti-virus protection, they have weak/default login password and they have global IP addresses. Security is an afterthought of the manufacturers of these devices.

To mitigate IoT security vulnerabilities, there should be an active monitoring and alerting system that notify users when their IoT devices are vulnerable, so they can take appropriate action. Technology solutions must be established to remotely detoxify IoT malware while the original IoT functions can continue to operate. There should also be a way to remotely disable IoT device.

Companies should have a strict security controls for connecting IoT devices in their network.

Finally, the industry should develop IoT security guidelines for IoT device maker/developer, IoT service provider, and IoT device user, as well as promote international standardization.