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More and more domestic appliances are being connected to the internet. The devices can be controlled via a web browser or a phone app.

• Already Commonplace
  • Smart TV
  • Central heating controller - log in from a web browser to turn up the heat.
  • Security cameras - but remember to change the password or ayone can watch the content.
  • TV set top box - log in from a web browser to request a program is recorded.
  • Broadband routers.
  • Printing from the web. Newer printers support this.
• Experimental
  • Fridge that can re-order food items when you run low.
  • Central heating boiler that can request an engineer before it completely breaks down.

Security Problems

The internet of things is new ( in 2017 ) and

• poorly designed devices have suffered from security problems.
• owners forgetting to set their security have left their appliances wide open to attack
• DDoS Attacks
  • A DDoS is a Distributed Denial of Service Attack.
  • hacked appliances have been used to launch DDoS attacks on other Interent sites.
• Botnet
  • A Botnet searches for unprotected computers or "Things" connected to the Internet.
  • The botnet server silently installs malicious software without the owner knowing it has happened.
  • At a later date, the malicious software is remotely launched into attack mode.
  • Botnet DDoS attacks have slowed down sites like Twitter and Facebook, making them unuseable.
  • Thousands of hacked computers and Things all connect at the same time overloading the attacked website.

So make sure you secure all your connected devices!