Arnoldas Lukošius, Tele2’s Innovation Expert, answers what security measures everyone can take in their home to reduce the risk of such hacking.
He listened and watched for several days
According to ABC News Australia, hackers have gained access to Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni robot vacuum cleaners in several US cities this year. Owners of vacuum cleaners were shocked to learn that their robots could be secretly monitored for days at a time. Cybercriminals have managed to disable the warning sound that is supposed to sound when a vacuum cleaner’s camera is activated.
Hackers used security breaches to take control of smart devices in private homes and use them to chase pets and hurl insults at their owners through robotic speakers. Although the company claims to have found no evidence that personal data was leaked, this is unlikely, as the consequences of such breaches often become apparent only after a longer period of time or remain unnoticed,” says A. Lukošius.
One of the victims, lawyer Daniel Swenson, says he was watching TV with his family when suddenly a sound like a crackling radio signal came from the robot vacuum cleaner’s speaker. Although the owner changed the password and rebooted the device, the sound soon returned. This time a human voice was clearly heard. According to D.Swenson’s guess, it was a teenager who spoke to his housemates through the robot’s microphone.
Ecovacs representatives have confirmed that some of the company’s products have security holes. The specific attacks involved a Bluetooth communication failure that allowed them to take full control of the X2 model from a distance of more than 100 meters. The remote security PIN was also vulnerable to hacker attacks.
The company plans to strengthen the security of the X2 series vacuum cleaners in November through an automatic software update for the devices. Ecovacs representatives note that users of their products should also take steps to protect themselves and their privacy.
What do security experts advise?
Smart devices are often more vulnerable than we think. SonicWall Cyber Threat Report 2023 research data reveals that in the first six months of 2023 months in the world of Internet of Things Internet of Things, IoT) malware increased by 37 percent. A total of 77.9 million were detected. attacks targeting smart devices.
“People should know that their safety depends not only on the manufacturers, but also on their own caution. In order to feel safer, you should first take care of the protection of your Wi-Fi connection,” notes the Tele2 Innovation expert.
- Secure your router. Change factory passwords to unique and complex passwords to make it harder for hackers to access your smart devices.
- Accept software updates. If your smart devices receive automatic updates, grant them permissions immediately. Many updates are designed to close security holes and also fix hardware malfunctions.
- Update your router. New modems often come with apps that let you see who’s connecting to your home Wi-Fi network. You will also be able to enjoy a higher quality Internet connection without interference.
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