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IoT Theft Risks: How Smart Devices Enable New Crimes

Posted: November 3, 2016 to Cybersecurity.

Tags: Malware, Data Breach, Cloud Security

As we get more and more accustomed to the convenience of our everyday objects having network capabilities in the Internet of Things so that we can control our lights, thermostats, baby monitors and countless other things from our phones, we sometimes forget the security risks that are associated with it. Unfortunately a security flaw was recently discovered that allows hackers to use household devices in order to gain access to your smartphone to steal photos and track your every move. The flaw was found in Belkin’s WeMo home automation devices. The way it works is a hacker looks for an object like a DVR that is connected to a network. Once they have access to the network, they scan for devices that are connected through the WeMo Android app. From there they just hack the app to gain access to a victim’s phone. To their credit, Belkin fixed the flaw in the app back in August and it is releasing a firmware update to fix the vulnerabilities in devices that use it. Unfortunately, that update is not automatic and will require users to update their devices manually. While there is no indication that the flaw has been exploited by criminals, it’s an important one to patch as it not only gives hackers full access to a victim’s phone, it also gives them the ability to block owners from updating firmware or removing malware from their devices. At that point their only recourse would be to throw them away.

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About the Author

Craig Petronella, CEO and Founder of Petronella Technology Group
CEO, Founder & AI Architect, Petronella Technology Group

Craig Petronella founded Petronella Technology Group in 2002 and has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and digital forensics. He holds the CMMC Registered Practitioner credential (RP-1372) issued by the Cyber AB, is an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License #604180-DFE), and completed MIT Professional Education programs in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Craig also holds CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and Hyperledger certifications.

He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity and compliance, host of the Encrypted Ambition podcast (95+ episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon), and a cybersecurity keynote speaker with 200+ engagements at conferences, law firms, and corporate boardrooms. Craig serves as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine and is a guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. He has served as a digital forensics expert witness in federal and state court cases involving cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and data breaches.

Under his leadership, Petronella Technology Group has served 2,500+ clients, maintained a zero-breach record among compliant clients, earned a BBB A+ rating every year since 2003, and been featured as a cybersecurity authority on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and WRAL. The company leverages SOC 2 Type II certified platforms and specializes in AI implementation, managed cybersecurity, CMMC/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and digital forensics for businesses across the United States.

CMMC-RP NC Licensed DFE MIT Certified CompTIA Security+ Expert Witness 15+ Books
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