One in three Italian homes faces a potential hacker attack, leaving families exposed to damages reaching up to 10,000 euros as digital devices saturate domestic spaces.
Italian households now host more than 100 million connected devices, transforming ordinary living rooms into complex digital ecosystems. Data compiled by the independent organization Consumers’ Forum shows that the hardware inventory includes 50.3 million smartphones, 22.2 million smart TVs, 20.2 million computers, and 7.4 million tablets.
Beyond traditional computing gear, smart home equipment has penetrated the domestic market, including anti-theft and intrusion systems, surveillance cameras, connected appliances, smart refrigerators and washing machines, boilers, thermostats, thermostatic valves, air conditioners, lighting systems, water and gas leak sensors, and voice assistants like smart speakers.
The Eumetra Observatory reports that while only 4% of families utilized smart home devices or smart speaker connected to home appliances in 2017, that figure rose to 33% by 2026.
This rapid connectivity expansion multiplies potential network vulnerabilities. Consumers’ Forum warns that unshielded routers, cameras with default factory passwords, and outdated software create entry points for cybercriminals. The fallout extends well beyond simple hardware malfunction, threatening personal privacy and inviting financial fraud, ransomware, or remote tampering with smart locks and climate controls.
Compromised domestic hardware also serves malicious networks as launchpads for broader attacks against public and private infrastructure. Fixing a breached home network typically costs families up to 1,500 euros for network restoration, specialized technical assistance, the replacement of compromised devices, and account recovery, while total losses can easily cross 10,000 euros if identity theft, digital extortion, or the loss of personal data occurs.
Consumers’ Forum notes that new manufacturer obligations under the European Union’s Cyber Resilience Act will not take effect until December 2027.
To address these mounting digital security challenges, Consumers’ Forum scheduled a dedicated conference for November 18, bringing together sector authorities including Arera, the Privacy Guarantor, Art, Anac, Agcm, Agcom, Consob, Ivass, and Banca d’Italia.
