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Now it is not just important to keep your computer and mobile devices protected from spam, these days, hackers can use any smart devices in your home to send out thousands of spam mails. For example, even refrigerators can be used to send out spam. Proofpoint, a security firm, has discovered the first instance of a cyber attack that may have taken place on a device that is the ‘Internet of Things’.
Skilled hackers have hacked into various home appliances before like the router, multimedia centres and television, so a refrigerator won’t be much of a big deal. These appliances have reportedly sent over 750,000 malevolent emails around the world.
“Just like your PC can be compromised and controlled by a botnet, your Internet-connected appliance is also at risk of becoming a "thingbot" that operates at the behest of its bot overlord.” – Proofpoint
(Source: goo.gl/9kbRik)
This has become a matter of concern to people as their home appliances are becoming subject to hacking and used for spamming.
"Bot-nets are already a major security concern and the emergence of thingbots may make the situation much worse. Many of these devices are poorly protected at best and consumers have virtually no way to detect or fix infections when they do occur." - David Knight, General Manager of Information Security division, Proofpoint.
(Source: goo.gl/9kbRik)
Between 23 December and 6 January, Proofpoint has tracked many of these malevolent mails that have been sent out through refrigerators and household objects similar to it. These mails were tracked to have been sent around three times a day in batches of 100,000. Most of these mails were reportedly sent via traditional or conventional devices like the computer or the smartphone but about 25 percent were sent through non-traditional objects.
Businesses have been warned that since unconventional objects are also being hacked and used to send spam mail, they should take drastic measures to try and protect these objects from the hackers.
“The ‘Internet of Things’ includes devices connected to the Web, from home automation products (smart thermostats, security cameras, refrigerators, microwaves, home entertainment devices, gaming consoles) to smart retail shelves and industrial machinery.”
(Source: goo.gl/9kbRik)
Therefore, in this age of technology, it has become extremely important to not only protect your mobile devices or computers from hackers but also to protect home appliances like the fridge from hackers.
