10 Everyday Things You Did Not Know Could be Hacked

Everyday items that we use every day are becoming connected or, as we like to call it, “smart.” While this adds a lot of convenience to our lives, it also provides hackers with many more attack vectors.

Here are 10 Everyday Things That You Probably Did Not Know Could be Hacked  

1) Smart TV

Hacking a Smart TV can cause many problems. Hackers could change channels, order movies that you don’t like, or turn up the volume when it is least expected. A hacked TV could also have an impact on your safety and security. Hackers can access your TV to steal payment information and use it as a gateway for other connected devices in your house. 

Researchers found that many manufacturers often have the same default passwords for different types of devices, and users rarely change them. If you have ten devices connected to the network, one device breach could compromise the entire network.

2) Baby Monitor

Because baby monitors connect to your WiFi network, this can be a problem because most people don’t change the default password for their baby monitors. Any hacker could scan for transmitting IPs to find them. Hackers can monitor your baby and your home at any hour of the day if they successfully hack your baby monitor.

3) Pacemakers

Hacking your heart is possible! In 2017, the FDA recalled 465,000 pacemakers because of concerns that people could hack into someone’s pacemaker and alter the heartbeat settings, possibly resulting in their death.

4) Smart Garage Door Openers

Smart Garage Door Openers provide you the convenience of opening and closing your garage door by pressing a button. However, if the smart version is compromised, it can be used to track your habits and reveal when you are at work, home, or away.

5) Smart Refrigerator

Your Smart Refrigerator could be your biggest enemy when it is about your security. Any connected appliance or device in your home can become a gateway to your entire house.

6) Self Driving Cars

As if the idea of a self-driving car without a human driver wasn’t frightening enough, the fact that they can be hacked is sure to become everyone’s worst nightmare. Imagine a situation where a malicious remote attacker gains control of the vehicle’s throttle, brake, and steering. We can all imagine what the outcome of that could be.

7) Voice-Activated Speakers

Almost every home in the US has an Amazon Echo or Google Home device. You should take security precautions if you own either. These speakers could be hacked and reveal sensitive information like your travel plans, doctor’s visits, and credit card and bank account information. It’s also possible for hackers to simply turn the speaker off if it is connected to your home security system and enter your house without detection.

8) WiFi Routers or Mesh Network Devices

Hacking into your home WiFi router can cause a lot of damage. Compromised WiFi can allow a hacker to steal your identity. It can be dangerous depending on how connected your home appliances are. A hacker might gain access to your or your family’s sensitive information and might even have easy access to your house.

9) Smart Thermostats

It’s convenient and cost-effective to have the ability to regulate the temperature in your home while you are away. However, Smart Thermostat systems can be vulnerable to hackers. Hackers can hack your Smart Thermostat and turn up the heat. In some cases, Hackers will demand a ransom from their victims to release control of the Thermostat.

10) Smart Photo Frames

These digital frames allow you to change pictures with a swipe of your finger. These devices are also a popular target for hackers. Hackers can compromise these devices and use the frame’s ambient light sensors to track the movements of your household.

Conclusion

You must exercise caution when adding devices to your home network. Make sure you do your research and make sure the device is secure.

Regular updates of software by a company will fix any vulnerabilities and eliminate any bugs that could make your system vulnerable to unwelcome intruders.

You can research everything online, including security features. Consider a red flag if a device offers poor security features. If the device isn’t secure or doesn’t allow you to change it, then it’s a red flag!