Intelligent devices such as smartwatches, smart TVs and more are rapidly earning popularity in India. Owing to this change, it is also under the radar of hackers to steal user attributes. And taking cognisance of this, Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under the Ministry of Electronics and IT shared a series of tips to secure Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
In a recent X (formerly called Twitter) post, the national agency highlighted cyber criminals may target a user’s smart devices such as a smartwatch, smart TV, smart speakers, smart printers, and other similar accessories and can “gain access to perform malicious activities.” Beyond this, hackers may be able to track a user’s daily activities using the in-built camera and mics in these devices.
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How Attackers Plant These Attacks?
The targeted devices may range from corporate to personal gadgets used for diverse purposes. A hacker may attempt a “brute-force attack on Telnet credentials.” For the unversed, Telnet is a protocol that can manage a gadget using remote access.
These devices may be used as a medium to steal personal information, mine cryptocurrencies, or deployed as botnets for Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks. Accessories operating on manufacturer “credentials are more vulnerable.”
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IoT Device Attacks: Tips To Stay Safe
The update came amid the rising cases of cyberattacks in the country targeting citizens to sniff data and bring financial losses. Considering the associated dangers, CERT-In issued a few safety measures a user can implement to stay safe from these attacks.
Updating Software
A user should download the latest security patch and install the software updates as and when available. Plus, installing only manufacturer-provided apps from official stores is recommended.
Change Default Username And Passwords
A user must alter the default login credentials on these gadgets to bypass such attacks.
Using Strong Passwords And Two-Factor Authentication
A user should enable multi-factor verification and uses alpha-numeric passwords. Plus, keeping an eye on strange behaviour on the device is advisable.
