Cybercrime: A guide to IoT security
The rise of cybercrime in IoT
As the world becomes more connected and as technological advancements mould the way we live our lives, cybercrime is increasing exponentially. Cyber criminals look to take advantage of our reliance on technology, exploiting vulnerabilities within our hardware, software and connectivity. Unfortunately, early IoT devices came with minimal security, but now the sector is becoming more mature and the industry is fighting back against cybercrime.
What is the Internet of Things?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical smart devices, such as computers and sensors, that are connected to the internet. IoT has become an integral part of our daily lives with smartphones, tablets, cars, refrigerators, thermostats, fitness trackers, and many more devices, all being connected to the internet – and that’s just the consumer market.
Business applications of IoT
Similarly to how connected devices are improving our personal lives, IoT is also helping businesses evolve into industry 4.o to improve efficiency and profitability with applications including supply chain monitoring, temperature monitoring, car tracking and mechanical status updates. Here at InfiSIM, we supply IoT SIM cards for businesses deploying a wide range of IoT devices.
IoT cybercrime: A new playground for cybercriminals
IoT is a rapidly growing network of technologies that has the potential to transform our lives. With over 38 billion IoT devices currently deployed across the glove, there’s no sign of it slowing down any time soon. However, there are also risks associated with IoT technology. Cybercriminals have already begun targeting IoT devices, posing a huge threat to business security and continuity.
Why are cybercriminals targeting IoT devices?
In most cases, cybercriminals hack IoT devices in order to access sensitive business data and gain access to your corporate network. Hackers usually attempt to install harmful malware or deliver DDoS attacks to your connected devices and machines, causing major business continuity issues or holding your data for ransom. Back in 2016, one of the biggest DDoS attacks was recorded when hackers used IoT devices to take down one of the biggest DNS service providers in North America, Dyn.
What is a DDoS attack
DDoS stands for Distributed Denial-of-Service. A DDoS attack is what happens when a hacker sends an enormous amount of traffic to a server or network, causing it to overload. This usually results in your server or network going down because it can’t process the large number requests.
How are hackers attacking IoT devices?
Protect your smart devices & data with IoT security
There are a number of actions you can deploy to protect your IoT-enabled business.
How to tell if your IoT devices have been hacked
It’s not always easy to recognise a cyber attack. Here are some key identifiers to look out for:
What to do if your IoT devices have been hacked
If you are concerned that your IoT devices have been compromised, contact your connectivity provider and the manufacturer of your hardware as a matter of urgency, even if the above steps appear to have fixed your problems. Cyberattacks can spread quickly, so ensuring that your network is safe early on is essential when it comes to protecting your business.
If you’re in the process of deploying a number of IoT devices, book a free consultation with our team of experts to learn how our M2M SIMs can help your business benefit from secure IoT connectivity.
