Exposed: The Shocking Rise of Cyber Attacks on Your Favourite IoT Devices

IoT devices have become ubiquitous in homes and businesses, making them a prime target for cybercriminals. As IoT devices continue to proliferate, they have become more vulnerable to cyberattacks. In this blog post, we will discuss the cyber attack trends targeting commercial and home IoT devices over the last few years.

In 2016, the Mirai botnet attack affected millions of devices worldwide. The attack exploited the weak security of IoT devices, primarily routers and cameras, by using default or easily guessable usernames and passwords. Once compromised, these devices were used to launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on various targets, causing widespread disruption to internet services.

Since then, the number and scale of attacks targeting IoT devices have continued to increase. In 2018, researchers discovered the VPNFilter malware that targeted routers and network-attached storage (NAS) devices. VPNFilter allowed attackers to steal data, spy on network traffic, and launch DDoS attacks.

In 2019, researchers discovered the Amnesia botnet, which targeted digital video recorders (DVRs) used for home security cameras. The botnet exploited a vulnerability in the DVR software and was used to mine cryptocurrency.

In 2020, the Ripple20 vulnerability was discovered, affecting a wide range of IoT devices from different vendors. The vulnerability allowed attackers to remotely execute code, leak information, and take control of devices.

More recently, in 2021, researchers discovered the Hivenet botnet, which targeted IoT devices such as routers, security cameras, and network-attached storage devices. The botnet used peer-to-peer communication to evade detection and was used for cryptocurrency mining.

These attacks highlight the vulnerabilities of IoT devices and the need for better security measures. Many IoT devices lack basic security features, such as strong authentication, encryption, and software updates. Additionally, many IoT devices have long lifespans, which means they are not updated regularly, leaving them vulnerable to new threats.

In conclusion, while the outlook for the security of commercial and home IoT devices is uncertain, there are promising developments (such as qomodo) in the industry aimed at improving security. As the industry continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see new standards and regulations emerge to help ensure the safety and privacy of users.