LightNetworked devices have seamlessly become a part of our everyday routines. Your video doorbell captures everyone who comes to your door, your fitness tracker keeps tabs on your sleep, and your smart fridge could even place grocery orders on its own.
This explosion of Internet of Things technology has fundamentally changed how we live and work, but it has also opened doors that cybercriminals are walking right through.
The numbers tell a troubling story. Last year alone, attacks targeting connected devices jumped by 124%, according to recent cybersecurity research.
Even more concerning is that security professionals estimate six out of every ten breaches involving these devices happen because someone forgot to install updates or patch known security holes.
When hackers break into your smart thermostat, they are not just after your temperature settings—they want access to your entire home network, your personal data, and potentially your financial information.
Looking ahead through 2025, both businesses and everyday users need to understand what they are up against.
The threats are real, they are growing, and they affect everyone from Fortune 500 companies to families just trying to make their homes a little smarter. Here are the five biggest security problems facing connected devices today, along with realistic steps you can take to protect yourself.
1. The Password Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About
Walk into any electronics store, buy a smart camera, and chances are it will work right out of the box with a password like “admin123” or “password.” Shockingly, research shows that one in five connected devices still uses these factory-set passwords months or even years after installation. Hackers know this, and they have automated tools that scan the internet looking for devices with these predictable login credentials.
Think of it this way: leaving default passwords on your devices is like moving into a new house but never changing the locks, even though the previous owner gave copies of the keys to dozens of contractors. The original passwords are often printed right in the user manual or easily found with a quick internet search.
Once criminals get into one device, the damage spreads quickly. They can spy on your activities, steal your personal information, or turn your device into part of a massive network of compromised systems used to attack other targets. Your innocent smart speaker could end up participating in cyberattacks against major websites or government systems.
The fix is straightforward but requires discipline. Change every default password as soon as you set up a new device.
Build passwords that are hard to guess by blending different types of characters, including uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, making each one completely unique.”.
When possible, turn on two-factor authentication, which requires a second form of verification like a text message code. Network administrators should regularly check their systems to find any devices still using weak passwords and isolate them until the problem is fixed.
2. When Security Updates Never Come
Here is a dirty secret about connected devices: many of them never receive security updates. Unlike your smartphone or computer, which regularly download patches to fix newly discovered vulnerabilities, countless smart devices sit on networks with the same security flaws they had on day one. Some manufacturers simply abandon their products once they hit store shelves, leaving users with permanently vulnerable devices.
This creates a nightmare scenario for cybersecurity. Researchers estimate that unpatched software accounts for roughly 60% of all successful attacks on connected devices. Hackers can use publicly available information about these vulnerabilities to break into devices months or even years after the flaws were first discovered.
The problem gets worse when you consider the sheer variety of connected device manufacturers.
While major tech companies like Apple and Google have established processes for pushing out security updates, smaller companies making smart light bulbs or pet feeders often lack the resources or expertise to maintain ongoing security support. Some devices go their entire operational life without receiving a single security update.
Smart buyers can protect themselves by researching manufacturers before making purchases. Look for companies with proven track records of releasing regular updates and clear policies about how long they will support their products.
When possible, set up automatic updates so critical security patches install without requiring manual intervention. For devices that cannot be updated, consider isolating them on separate network segments where they cannot access sensitive information or systems.
3. Your Devices Are Being Recruited for Cyberwar
Cybercriminals have figured out that connected devices make excellent soldiers in their digital armies. Recently, security researchers uncovered something called the BadBox 2.0 botnet, which had secretly taken control of over 10 million smart televisions, digital projectors, and car entertainment systems. These devices were all unknowingly participating in cyberattacks while their owners watched Netflix or listened to music.
Connected devices are attractive targets for botnet operators because they typically have weak security and maintain constant internet connections. Once compromised, these devices can be remotely controlled to flood websites with traffic (causing them to crash), mine cryptocurrency, or send out millions of spam emails. Because these attacks are spread across many sources, they are extremely challenging to defend against.
What makes this particularly insidious is that infected devices often continue working normally for their intended purposes.
Your smart TV might stream movies perfectly while secretly participating in cyberattacks during its idle moments. Most users never realize their devices have been compromised until security researchers or law enforcement discover the botnet and publish information about it.
Defending against botnet recruitment requires active network monitoring. Unusual traffic patterns, unexpected outgoing connections, or devices communicating with suspicious internet addresses can all signal compromise.
Many modern routers and security appliances include features that can detect and block these types of malicious communications. Regular network audits can help identify devices exhibiting suspicious behavior before they cause damage.
4. Conversations That Were Never Meant to Be Private
Many connected devices transmit information without proper encryption, essentially broadcasting sensitive data for anyone with the right tools to intercept. This happens more often than most people realize, particularly with older devices or products from manufacturers who cut corners on security to reduce costs.
Unencrypted communications create opportunities for what security professionals call “man-in-the-middle” attacks, where hackers position themselves between your device and its intended destination to eavesdrop on or modify the data being transmitted. Imagine someone sitting in a coffee shop with a laptop, intercepting the unencrypted commands you send to your smart door lock or the personal health data your fitness tracker uploads to the cloud.
Industrial environments face particularly serious risks because many operational technology systems were designed decades ago when cybersecurity was not a primary concern. These systems often prioritize reliable functionality over secure communications, creating vulnerabilities that could potentially impact critical infrastructure or manufacturing processes.
Securing device communications requires implementing strong encryption for all data transmission. Modern security protocols like Transport Layer Security provide robust protection when properly implemented.
Organizations should establish comprehensive certificate management practices and regularly audit their communications protocols to ensure they meet current security standards. Virtual private networks can add an extra layer of protection, especially when devices need to communicate over public internet connections.
5. The Privacy Paradox of Smart Everything
Connected devices are incredibly effective at collecting detailed information about our daily lives. Your smart doorbell knows when you come and go, your voice assistant hears your conversations, and your fitness tracker monitors your sleep patterns and physical activity. All of this data creates comprehensive digital profiles that reveal intimate details about your habits, preferences, and lifestyle.
The privacy implications become concerning when you consider how this information is stored, processed, and potentially shared.
Many device manufacturers have vague privacy policies that give them broad permissions to use your data for purposes you might never have intended. Some companies share or sell this information to third parties for advertising or analytics purposes, often without clear user consent.
Data breaches compound these privacy risks. When cybercriminals successfully attack companies that manufacture or operate connected devices, they often gain access to massive databases containing personal information from millions of users. This can include everything from your daily routines to audio recordings from inside your home.
Protecting your privacy requires taking an active role in managing your connected devices. Read privacy policies carefully and adjust device settings to limit unnecessary data collection. Many devices offer options to disable certain monitoring features or prevent data sharing with third parties.
Regularly review what information your devices are collecting and delete data you no longer need. When possible, choose devices from manufacturers with strong privacy commitments and transparent data handling practices.
Conclusion
These five security challenges represent serious risks that require immediate attention from everyone involved in the connected device ecosystem. As more aspects of our personal and professional lives become dependent on Internet of Things technology, addressing these vulnerabilities becomes increasingly critical for preventing widespread security incidents and protecting sensitive information.
Effective security requires collaboration between manufacturers, organizations, and individual users. Companies must prioritize security during product development and provide ongoing support throughout device lifecycles.
Organizations need comprehensive policies for managing connected devices and robust monitoring capabilities to detect potential threats. Individual users must take responsibility for basic security practices like changing default passwords and keeping devices updated.
The good news is that these problems are solvable with the right combination of technology, policy, and education.
By implementing proper security controls, staying informed about emerging threats, and making security a priority rather than an afterthought, we can enjoy the benefits of connected technology without exposing ourselves to unnecessary risks.
Start protecting yourself today by taking inventory of all your connected devices, changing any default passwords, enabling automatic updates where possible, and monitoring your network for suspicious activity. The future of connected technology depends on all of us taking security seriously and working together to build a safer digital world.
FAQ
Why are smart devices less secure than regular computers?
Connected devices often sacrifice security features to keep costs low and extend battery life. Unlike computers, many smart devices lack the processing power to run comprehensive security software or the ability to receive regular updates. Manufacturers sometimes rush products to market without implementing proper security controls, leaving users with devices that have fundamental vulnerabilities.
How can I tell if my connected devices have been hacked?
Watch for unusual behavior like devices turning on or off by themselves, unexpected network traffic from your internet router, slower than normal internet speeds, or devices consuming more power than usual. Many modern routers include security features that can alert you to suspicious device behavior or unauthorized network access attempts.
Have connected devices become more secure recently?
While some improvements have been made through industry initiatives and new regulations, the fundamental security challenges persist.
The rapid pace of new product development often outpaces security improvements, and many of the same basic vulnerabilities continue to appear in new devices. Progress has been uneven across different manufacturers and product categories.
What should manufacturers be doing differently?
Device makers need to implement security features from the beginning of the design process rather than treating them as optional extras.
This includes providing regular security updates throughout the product lifecycle, using secure communication protocols, and educating users about proper security practices. Manufacturers should also be more transparent about their data collection and sharing practices.
What can regular people do to stay safe?
Focus on the basics: change default passwords immediately, enable automatic updates when available, regularly review device settings and permissions, and consider isolating smart devices on separate network segments when possible.
Stay informed about security issues affecting your specific devices and replace products from manufacturers who do not provide adequate ongoing support.