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Internet of Things (IoT) devices are rapidly becoming an integral part of everyday life. This is forcing cybersecurity experts to pay close attention to the IoT field and sound the alarm for the multiple vulnerabilities that make IoT devices an attractive target for attackers.
A striking example of the vulnerability of smart home appliances to cyber attacks is the case of a married couple from Milwaukee (Wisconsin, USA). According to local media reports, one day their "smart home" went crazy.
In 2018, Samantha and Lamont Westmoreland purchased the Nest thermostat, doorbell and security camera. For some time, nothing disturbed the peace of the spouses, until one day they heard a voice from a camera installed in the kitchen.
Returning from work, Samantha Westmoreland found that the house was very hot - the thermostat heated the air to +32 degrees Celsius. Writing off everything to a short-term failure, the woman set her usual temperature, but soon the temperature rose again, and a voice came from the cell and music began to play.
The couple changed their passwords, but everything continued again. The Westmorelands contacted their ISP, which changed the network ID at their request. According to the couple, someone hacked their Wi-Fi network.
“We probably should have taken some measures. I think Nest should improve security, ”the couple said.
