Your Smart Refrigerator & TV may be Spamming Everyone

[Morreion]

Smart refrigerators and TVs hacked to send out spam, according to a new report (NBC News)

Security firm Proofpoint has uncovered a cyberattack that involved the hacking of “smart” home appliances connected to the Internet. Hackers broke into more than 100,000 gadgets -- including TVs, multimedia centers, routers, and at least one fridge – and used the appliances to send out more than 750,000 malicious emails between December 23 and January 6.

The attack also included compromised laptops and tablets, but Proofpoint said about 25% of the emails were sent from appliances beyond the traditional Internet-connected gadgets.

According to Proofpoint, the cyberattack could be the first proven breach of the so-called “Internet of Things”: an exciting tech trend that promises a Jetsons-like future, with all of our home appliances and other gadgets connected to one another.


There needs to be a big advancement in cybersecurity before I get into a self-driving car, that's for sure.

[Regolyth]

Mar 27, 2014 9:49:09 GMT -5 Morreion said:

There needs to be a big advancement in cybersecurity before I get into a self-driving car, that's for sure.

LOL - Good point there Gack. That stuff needs to be impregnable.

[Laethaka]

i'm trying to come up with any reason i'd want my refridgerator to connect to the internet

[Laethaka]

it could detect when i'm out of milk and automatically order online groceries? seems like something for 100 hr workweek Seoul execs

[Morreion]

Apr 10, 2014 5:37:15 GMT -5 Laethaka said:

i'm trying to come up with any reason i'd want my refridgerator to connect to the internet

The only reason I can come up with is-

"Technology, woohoo!"

Oh, and the government somehow keeping track of you (say your energy usage in this case) because people who know how to manipulate voters into getting elected are your betters and whatever they do is for your own good. And making society more fragile is a long-term trend (imagine all of our refrigerators and houses hacked).

Not that I'm cynical or anything!

[Regolyth]

^ LOL

The refrigerators that connect to the Internet are the ones that have the lists where you can keep track of what you need to pick up the next time you go to the grocery store. There's an app for it on your phone and you can access it that way.