Over 70% of Internet of Things devices are vulnerable to hacking

Internet of Things (IoT) devices could be “alarmingly” vulnerable to hackers and trigger major security risks, according to a new study from Hewlett-Packard. The company commissioned Fortify on Demand to investigate ten of the most popular devices in some of the most common IoT niches including TVs, webcams, home thermostats, remote power outlets, sprinkler controllers, hubs for controlling multiple devices, door locks, home alarms, scales and garage door openers.

Nearly three-quarters of all Internet of Things devices are susceptible to getting hacked or compromised, according to a recent study. The study, released by Hewlett-Packard (HP), examined 10 common smart devices, including thermostats, smart TVs and webcams. Each device had approximately 25 vulnerabilities, the study claimed. Many of the vulnerabilities had to do with a lack of password strength and weak protection software. Eight out of 10 devices failed to require passwords strong enough to be useful, and the same amount put users at risk of having their personal information intercepted via cloud services. “Late last year, we were hearing a lot about Internet of Things, and a bit about IoT security, but had not seen anything that focused on the complete picture of IoT security,” a statement from HP read. “So, we decided to start the OWASP [Open Web Application Security Project] Internet of Things Top 10 Project, which aims to educate on the main facets of Internet of Things security that people should be concerned with.”