Forget Just Laptops and Phone; Hackers can now hack Light Bulbs

The threats of hackers being able to access any Internet connected devices has stepped up recently, with a large scale attacks crashing sites and internet access.

Then when we taught all has been done already, a team of hackers in Israel shown us something, a light bulb can be vulnerable to attack.

In the brazen demonstration in their office, they used a drone to deliver virus wirelessly to smart lights, taking control and making them turn on and off.

 

HACKING SMART LIGHTS 

Researchers in Israel tested the vulnerabilities connected devices, focusing on a popular brand of smart lighting.

By flying a drone to the outside of the building, the team was able to deliver malware, in the form of an IoT worm, wirelessly to the lamps.

Once one of the lamps was hacked with an over-the-air firmware update, the virus spread from one infected lamp to its neighbour.

Researchers say the vital flaw in such wireless smart technology could leave everything from locks to lamps vulnerable to attack.

Manufacturers are increasingly incorporating Internet connectivity into objects, helping them to communicate with one another via the Internet of Things (IoT).

Analysts have warned, thanks to malware such as Mirai, millions of vulnerable web-connected devices could be under the control of hackers and used to carry out cyber attacks.

Any number of connected devices have been known to have security flaws, where default security settings have not been changed. These include: 

• Baby monitors
• Webcams
• Printers
• Kettles
• Washing machines
• Lighting 
• Internet routers 
• CCTV cameras

Security experts advise people to use strong passwords and keep security software up to date. 

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