When the Intruder Gets in through a Toaster…

Stuffed Animals as Computers

The problem: Networking works in multiple directions. If a home computer has access to a toaster, the reverse is likely to be true as well: The toaster has access to the home computer. But many everyday IoT devices are inadequately protected from attacks by intruders. And there are plenty of reasons they might try to break in: to ferret out data and information, gain access to an app or a cloud, or assemble computers to mount a denial-of-service attack. And in the end, that’s precisely what IoT-linked toasters and stuffed animals with microchips are: computers.

Consumers are encouraged to check everyday objects for potential security risks, but they don’t consider these items to be computers. So the objects often don’t get the attention they deserve. Guidelines, measures to protect consumers and clear information are lacking. Still, Internet-capable devices are especially useful to manufacturers. They can collect data on how consumers use them and help the companies develop new products.

Consumers Must Take Action

This means that people interested in keeping intruders from reaching private domains through toasters or Bluetooth headphones are compelled to deal with the security aspects of their devices – whether they like it or not. As the technology advances, it will be hard to disregard the Internet of Things, at least not completely. Its importance will certainly continue to grow in the future.

The May edition of the magazine ESSENTIAL revolves around digitalization. Read more here to learn more about Internet security and what digitalization means to society and industry – and how we are thinking about it and addressing it at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies.