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THE GROWTH OF IOT: HOW FAMILIES & SMALL BUSINESS CAN STAY PROTECTED

Written by Hunter Carrithers | Sep 23, 2022 4:00:34 PM

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of devices, sensors, and services that can exchange data. You can think about IoT as your smartphone, laptop, smartwatch, wifi-powered fridge and printer, connected thermostats and light bulbs, or security cameras, and that is just the start! IoT allows all these devices to communicate allowing for powerful personalization and performance. This article explores the growth and vulnerabilities of IoT devices as well as some tips on how to protect yourself.

How fast is the growth of IoT?

According to IBM, the number of connected devices has grown from around 30 billion in 2018 and is expected to rise to 50 billion by 2022. This is great news for IoT end users, as more devices will mean more integrated lifestyles. But it also means more devices to maintain and secure.

The vulnerabilities of IoT

  1.       the inability to self-monitor for attacks
  2.       insecure data storage and transfer
  3.       botnets
  4.       weak passcodes
  5.       AI-based attacks

Now, there is much more than these limited examples, but what can be gathered, is that even an under-skilled hacker can hack most IoT devices. If one of those devices is your "nanny cam" or your security system, it can get scary quickly.

Protecting yourself in an IoT world

  1.       Keep the software of your IoT devices up to date.
  2.       Use two-factor authentication wherever possible.
  3.       Use complex passwords (keep a browser-based password manager if needed)
  4.       Gain peace of mind by installing a next-generation cyber protection suite

Final words

The Internet of Things will play a major role in transforming how we live, work, and interact with each other. So, it is not surprising that the growth of the IoT has been accompanied by security concerns. There are many anti-virus software solutions available in the market, but none of them address the full list of concerns we touched on above. Cyber security experts recommend cyber protection software that can protect your Identity, Devices, and Network.

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