Most common reasons of IoT security threats.

In this decade, the Internet Of Things(IoT) is growing very rapidly. According to the report, the estimated global IoT spending will be $1.1 trillion(approx). This will make a flood in the use of cutting-edge IoT applications and solutions. But with the increase in the popularity of Iot Devices, there is a rise in IoT app development as well as security challenges and issues. Manufacturers are racing against each other to bring the latest device in the market and most of them are not thinking about security issues associated with IoT devices. If you’re going to develop IoT apps or work on IoT devices, you must know the common IoT security issues. Let’s have a look at the most common IoT security issues.

Most common IoT security issues-

1. Unsafe communication-

Most of IoT devices don’t encrypt the messages when sending them over the network. This is the most common and biggest IoT security challenge. Organizations must ensure that communication between devices and cloud services is secure and encrypted. The best practice to ensure secure communication is to use transport encryption and use standards such as TLS. Isolating devices by using different networks helps to create secure and private communication, that keeps transmitted data secure. 

2. Use of Default Passwords-

Most of companies deliver devices with default passwords and don’t even inform customers to change them. And this becomes one of the biggest IoT security threats because hackers can easily track those default common passwords. Weak credentials result in a higher possibility of password hacking. Companies that use unsafe credentials on their IoT devices put their customers and their business at risk of being susceptible to direct attacks and being infected through brute force attempts.

3. Botnet Attacks-

Various DDoS attacks using hundreds of thousands of IP cameras, NAS, and home routers were infected and directed to bring down the DNS that provided services to platforms such as Twitter, Reddit, Netflix, and Github. The issue is that IoT devices are highly vulnerable to Malware attacks. They don’t regularly update the software security and so quickly get infected zombies and used as a medium to send huge amounts of traffic. Also, a botnet can pose security threats for electrical grids, manufacturing plants, transportation systems, and water treatment facilities, that can threaten people. 

4. Personal Information Leaks-

Professional cybercriminals can cause massive damage by finding out internet protocol (IP) addresses through unsecured IoT devices. Those addresses tell the location of the user and their residential address. So it is recommended to secure your IoT connection through VPN(Virtual Private Network). Installing a VPN on the router will encrypt traffic through ISP. VPN can keep your internet protocol address private and secure the whole home network.

5. IoT MALWARE Ransomware-

As the number of IoT devices is increasing continuously, there is also an increase in the number of malware and ransomware used to harm them. While traditional ransomware depends on encryption to lock users out of various devices and platforms, there’s an ongoing hybridization of both malware and ransomware that aims to merge the different types of attacks.

Ransomware attacks focus on limiting or disabling devices to function and steal user data at the same time. For instance, webcams can be locked and footage funneled to an infected web address that could extract sensitive data using a wide range of locations such as homes, offices, etc. The increasing number of IoT devices will cause unpredictability in unauthorized access or theft in the future.

6. Data security and privacy concerns (mobile, web, cloud)-

Data privacy and security is the largest issue in today’s internet world. A huge amount of data is constantly being transmitted, stored, and processed by large companies by the use of a wide array of IoT devices like smart TVs, printers, etc. Generally, user data is shared between or even sold to various companies, by violating privacy and data security policies.

Secure mobile app development and web-based IoT apps can be tricky for small companies with limited budgets. Most of the manufacturers want to develop and deliver apps rapidly in the market to get more funding and increase their user base. 

Except if you need to risk a major breach of security and ruin your brand authority and reliability, then, at that point, you should consider going through a directory of mobile and web development organizations and find the best one that can satisfy all your security necessities with multilayered data management.

7. Automation and A.I-

We all know about AI tools. These AI tools help manufacturers to carry out various tasks efficiently. But it just only a single mistake in the code or faulty algorithm to bring down an entire AI network. As AI and automation is just code, if the hacker gets access to this code and altered a code, they can control the automation. So you must ensure that AI and automation are safe against such attacks.

8. RFID Skimming-

It is a type of skimming where hackers intercept wireless information from RFID chips used on debit cards, credit cards, ID cards, etc. The aim of skimming data is to steal sensitive data used for modern identity theft. Hackers use NFC-supported devices that record all unencrypted data from RFID chips and then broadcast it through wireless signals. 

9. Poor IoT device management-

IoT and IoMT enabled devices in healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and life sciences. It uncovers a lot of vulnerabilities across various connected objects. Magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography devices are responsible for poor security issues of IoT devices. Traditional connected devices and legacy systems like ventilators, patient monitors, light, infusion pumps, and thermostats with poor security features causes hacking attacks such as-

• Financial loss
• Reputational damage
• Compromised customer data and safety
• Disruption of operations

10. Insufficient testing and updating-

Most of the devices and IoT products don’t get enough updates while some don’t get critical security updates too. Meaning that a device that was once secure when a user first buys it becomes insecure and hackers can harm it. The old computer system has this issue but is now somewhat solved with automatic updates. IoT manufacturers are in a hurry to produce and deliver gadgets without having its security thought. Some manufacturers offer firmware updates just for short time, only to stop the moment they start working on the next headline-grabbing gadget. This causes potential attacks as a result of outdated hardware and software.

Wrap up-

We have seen a huge growth in IoT devices and it’s applications in recent years. But there is also an increase in the security issues too. The above mentioned are some of the most common IoT security issues that you must know before starting developing IoT apps. You can hire skilled Solace developers to build apps for your IoT devices. Connect with Solace and get a free quote for IoT app development. We will be happy to help you.

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