5 Hacker-Friendly Technologies in Your Home

Do you think your computer is the only technology you own that is vulnerable to hackers? You may be surprised to learn that there are other technologies in your office and home that can be hacked without you knowing about it. Here's a list of five of the most surprising technologies that may be putting your information at risk.

Televisions
As televisions become more advanced and integrated with other technologies, the risk of a TV being hacked in order to steal your data also increases. Newer televisions connect to the Internet, giving hackers an avenue to any information about you that is collected and stored by your TV. A TV can tell hackers a lot more about you than what your favorite TV shows are. An Internet connected TV has the potential to act as a back door to your home or office network, and a TV equipped with a camera for video conferencing can potentially be controlled by a hacker so they can watch you watch TV.

New Cable Boxes
It's been reported that new cable boxes are being developed by both Google and Verizon that will include a hidden camera and motion sensors. These intrusive add-ons will be able to deliver advertisers information about what you are doing so you can be sent related commercials. A practical use for this: if you like to exercise in front of the TV, then you will be sent commercials about joining a gym. A hacker would be able to use this technology to spy on you.

Kitchen Appliances
Televisions aren't the only new devices that are being designed with Internet connectivity. Even new kitchen appliances come with mobile apps that sync the food maker to your mobile device. While it sounds convenient to send your coffee maker a message from your smartphone to make you a fresh cup of Joe, a hacker will also be able to access your coffee maker and use it for more than coffee. A successful appliance hack will reveal your geo-location along with your habits and routine. This information can help a criminal plan a successful home invasion.

Lights
Your home's lights can also be wired to the Internet; this makes it convenient to remotely turn off and on your lights while you are away. This same technology will also allow hackers to monitor your routine, and if a thief gained control of your lights, then they would be able to turn them off before breaking into your home.

Printers
Wireless printers are some of the worst culprits at giving hackers easy access to your home or office network. With many networks, users will spend money securing their network through every computer and mobile device, while totally overlooking the printers. If a hacker parked their car outside of your office and picked up the wireless printer signal, they would easily be able to bypass weak security measures, hack into your network, and access your sensitive information. A strong network security solution, like a Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution from Macro Systems, will cover all of your network's access points, including the often overlooked printer.

The best way to protect yourself from these risks is to always be aware of what devices, appliances, and technologies connect to the Internet and your network. Any technology that sends and receives data over a network is at risk of being hacked and possibly controlled by a hacker. If you would like a thorough assessment of your security risk from all the technologies in your office, home, kitchen, bathroom (seriously, you can now flush your toilet with your phone), or anywhere else, then give Macro Systems a call at 703-359-9211.