iot device security

Simple Tips to Secure Your Data on IoT Devices

It’s possible for Joe Biden to give up his loved Peloton as he’s moving to the White House even though he’s an avid Peloton rider. Because Peloton is regarded to be a potential risk for cybersecurity due to its built-in camera, microphone, Bluetooth, and capability to connect to WiFi, it’ll be rejected by the White House.

However, even though you’re not (up to now) a leader of the greatest power in the world, is it safe to use IoT devices similar to Peloton?

What are IoT Devices and How do They Work?

Perhaps you use IoT devices every day, but you don’t know.

What are IoT Devices?

IoT (Internet of Things) devices refer to the hardware designed in special programs, like sensors, actuators, accessories, appliances or machines that are capable of transferring data through the Internet or other networks. IoT devices can be embedded into other mobile equipment, industrial mechanics, environmental sensors, medical devices, etc.

In one word, anything with sensors embedded inside that is capable of transferring data from one object to another with the help of the Internet is called an IoT device.

For example, the IoT system inside your car can recognize the traffic forward and send messages to anyone you want. The Peloton mentioned at the beginning of this article is naturally an IoT device because it can be used to send messages through social media applications and share riding data with other Peloton users.

iot device security

How do IoT Devices Work?

An integrated IoT system contains the following components.

Sensors/Devices

As devices have sensors, they will have hands, eyes, noses and mouths.

Data can be collected via sensors from any place. For example, your smartphone, as one of the most commonly used IoT devices, carries multiple sensors like a camera, GPS, microphone, WiFi sensor, etc.

In a word, sensors are the tools IoT devices use to accumulate data from the environment.

Connectivity

As data is successfully grasped, it should be then sent out. Here comes the significance of connectivity between IoT devices.

The reason why IoT devices can talk with each other lies in the networks including cellular data, satellites, WiFi, Bluetooth, LPWAN, or Ethernet to the Internet. No matter what type of connectivity is used, the essential aim goes to the cloud.

Data Processing

As soon as data enters the cloud, it’ll be processed by some software. The whole process might be as easy as checking the temperature in the ordinary range or not. Or it might be as complicated as recognizing the invaders, which is a feature in a home security system.

User Interface

Finally, all the data will be sent to users through email, texts or notifications. For instance, when the temperature of fridge goes too high, texting warning will be generated.

Moreover, users may have an interface allowing them to proactively sign in. For example, users may want to check the home video through the apps on a smartphone or network browsers.

Some operations are automatically made. The temperature, for example, can be automatically set based on the predefined rules rather than modifying the temperature by hand. The IoT system can’t only call you to warn you about the invaders, but automatically notify the corresponding apartment as well.

How IoT Devices Work

Do You Know IoT Devices are Vulnerable and Why?

IoT devices are vulnerable mainly because they don’t have embedded security dealing with security. Apart from the devices themselves, users also add threats to IoT devices.

What are the biggest IoT security risks and challenges?

Limited Computing Capability and Hardware Limitations

Most IoT devices are designed for so certain functions that only limited computing capabilities can be ensured, leaving limited space for security systems and data protection.

Heterogeneous Transport Technology

IoT devices are constructed by fatigue components that fail to support the millions of intelligent devices.

Users’ Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness

If users have low cybersecurity awareness, IoT devices may be exposed to bugs and hacks from the Internet.

How to Keep Your IoT Devices Secure?

IoT devices provide you with much fun and convenience in your life. However, it means all IoT devices have kept your personal data so that each device plays a role as a data holder. Therefore, it’s of great necessity to protect all your devices, or they will possibly be a target of hackers or cybercriminals.

Why IoT Security is Important?

Up to now, IoT devices are being produced every second around the world but there’s no IoT device security standard accepted by the world. As IoT device producers find IoT devices so profitable that they strive to earn much from them as soon as possible. As a result, the privacy issue of IoT devices is never strictly regulated.

Besides, hackers are smart. The structure of IoT devices can be easily hacked through some obvious bugs, which means that even inexperienced hackers are able to find and take advantage of them to access to your network.

Hackers are able to know your life situation through the following aspects:

Heating and Lightning System

Based on the data of your heating and lightning system, they can know whether you’re staying inside and outside.

Voice Command and Digital Assistance

The shared access information that is got through your voice command and digital assistance allows hackers to know your password or bank account.

Ransomware

Hackers can start ransomware attacks by entering the network. Your IoT devices won’t be able to be used again unless you pay for the ransom.

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Botting Your Devices

Hackers can start DDOS attack by botting your IoT devices to decrypt password or send spam emails or mining your cryptocurrencies.

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How to Keep Your IoT Devices Secure?

To keep your IoT devices secure, you should, first of all, protect your router. If your router got hacked, your network would be controlled so that all the devices in your home are controllable.

Constantly Change Router Name and Password

Never use the default mode. Your router is usually named by router name or producer name, which provides important hints to hackers that will be able to access your network. By the way, it’s also a dummy idea to name your router with your true name.

Strong passwords should be used, containing numbers, characters and special symbols.

Avoid Public WiFi

When you get access to the Internet, never use public WiFi. It’s easy to get access to the Internet through the public WiFi provided by cafes and hotels but it’s so dangerous for your device to be hacked because hackers are allowed to use it as well.

If you have to use the public WiFi in some situations, use a VPN instead. It provides an encrypted tunnel where your data can be well protected from spying eyes.

Use Guest Network

It’s a smart idea to set a guest network for your visitors so that they aren’t allowed to visit your main network, emails or other accounts. You’re also suggested to set your IoT devices within the guest network. Even if they get hacked, the network hackers can access is nothing but the guest network, leaving your main network well protected.

Use Strong Encryption

Use strong encryption to access the Internet. Use two-factor authentication to protect your password against breaches.


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