Smart home appliances can pose a burglary risk. The Federal Public Service Home Affairs will warn against this in a campaign next week.
“Many household appliances today are connected to the internet. Such applications offer many advantages and make our lives easier”, says Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden (CD&V). These include smart doorbells, solar panel systems, heating systems and washing machines. “But in addition to the benefits, there are also risks. For example, burglars can use unsecured networks to gain access to a home,” Verlinden warns.
The Computer Security and Industrial Cryptography (COSIC) research group at KU Leuven analyzed sixteen smart devices last year. In all, the researchers identified 54 security vulnerabilities.
That is why the General Directorate for Security and Prevention of the FPS Home Affairs has now developed a campaign with prevention tips. This includes securing the Wi-Fi connection and performing regular updates. But the service also advises against buying often poorly secured and cheap ‘white products’. “Find online reviews of all the devices you’re considering buying and seek advice from a tech expert,” it reads.
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