At the end of last year, 21.1 billion devices worldwide were connected to the so-called Internet of Things (IoT), a network of interconnected devices, the National Research Institute (NASK) said in a report.
The figure is projected to rise to 39 billion within five years and exceed 50 billion within 10 years, according to the report out this week.
The report, titled Urządzenia IoT w domu. Jak korzystać z nich bezpiecznie? (IoT Devices at Home: How to Use Them Safely), focuses on the security of smart home devices equipped with technologies that allow remote control, communication with other devices and automation of everyday tasks.
One example is an internet-connected smart kettle that can be switched on remotely and set to heat water to a selected temperature, NASK said.
It defined IoT as a network of interconnected devices that can collect data, exchange information and communicate through the internet or other communications networks.
Such systems can be used to automate everyday tasks, remotely control appliances and create integrated smart home systems.
The report warns that inadequately secured devices can become easy targets for cyberattacks.
"Security of home IoT devices is primarily about protecting us as users," Katarzyna Grabowska, a senior education and information specialist at NASK and a co-author of the report, said in a statement.
"Using technology requires a responsible approach. Our behaviour and decisions constitute the first line of defence against threats," she added.
The threats identified in the report include taking control of a device, such as accessing images from a camera; revealing the layout of a home, for example through a map stored by a robot vacuum cleaner; and gaining access to users' data, such as files stored on a computer.
Anna Felkner, another co-author of the report and director of NASK's cybersecurity research division, said smart home security begins before a device is purchased.
"It is worth checking what data the device will collect, whether the manufacturer provides updates and how it responds to detected vulnerabilities," Felkner said.
The report recommends checking whether a device has known vulnerabilities before buying it.
One option is to search for the device in the publicly available Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database.
Consumers can also check reviews from people who have previously used the device and consult the manufacturer's instructions for information on security.
The authors also recommend checking information about software updates, technical support and potential servicing.
Before connecting a device, users should also review their Wi-Fi network settings, including changing the network name and password and checking the security standard, "such as whether WPA3 is supported."
The report also recommends network separation, keeping IoT devices separate from computers and phones.
When disposing of a device, experts recommend performing a factory reset, removing the device from the manufacturer's account and disconnecting it from the home network and other applications to which it has been added.
(gs)
Source: PAP, nask.pl