Given the boom that IoT (Internet of Things) is experiencing, more and more cybercriminals direct their threats to these environments. This highlights the need to strengthen security to protect networks and connected devices.
According to the 2022 Cyber Threat Report published by SonicWall last July, malware in IoT environments has increased by 77% in the last six months.
The growing adoption of connected devices has turned cybercriminals’ eyes on these environments, especially malware. But how is malware affecting IoT devices? How to protect yourself from these attacks?
This is how malware works in IoT
To learn how to protect IoT devices from malware attacksyou first need to know what types of threats they are exposed to and how they can get infected.
One of them are the botnets. Although this type of attack is not malware, it can lead to device infection. Cybercriminals create these botnets by using malware to hijack a network of devices that they can control from a single point.
Subsequently, they make use of all these teams to carry out attack campaigns, such as Mirai.
Mirai malware infects unsecured devices by using your factory default login information. Cybercriminals use it to infect thousands of devices. Once they have access to them, they use them to launch a DDoS attack against a victim.
Although the authorities caught the cybercriminals using Mirai from the first attack, the code used for that attack was published. Then other criminals continue to use it to launch attacks.
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How to protect IoT devices
Protecting IoT devices is essential and a not so complicated task. Your security will depend on the devices that are connected and the network. However, it is important to design a plan to secure your network, devices, and your information.
These are 4 of the key steps to take into account when approaching this plan.
- Research. It all comes down to the device purchased. Not all devices work the same, so do some research on your security. Some manufacturers of IoT devices do not focus on cybersecurity, so when choosing a device, it is better to go for one that allows you to change the password.
As trivial as it may seem, many devices come with a default password that cannot be changed. Also, it is important to choose a device that receives manufacturer security updates. In this way, the protection of the IoT will be guaranteed at all times.
- Strengthen the security of the device when buying it. Although it is often not taken into account, it is a priority issue when installing the IoT device. If a device is not well protected, they can hack it within minutes of installing it.
That is why it is essential that, before installing it, you log on to the manufacturer’s website to check if there are any security patches available. If so, they must be downloaded and run on the new device before it is added to the network.
- Protect routers. To protect IoT devices, it is imperative to secure the network, for example by using the router’s firewall and setting strong passwords. In this way, barriers are put up against possible cyberattacks that it may suffer.
Experts also recommend disabling Universal Plug and Play on the router to improve network security.
- Use IoT antivirus or attack detection products. These products offer detection and protection from abnormal behavior. By installing one on the network or device, it allows you to track it 24/7 to make sure it hasn’t been hacked.
They can also monitor all devices on the network. The most popular versions of these products are hardware that you install over the network, although there are also software-only options. The important thing is to choose the most appropriate option for each case.