🏠 Smart Home Security

Episode 4: IoT Security

1. The Scenario

Story from HKCERT animation videos

Ah Chun has a high-tech home with smart curtains, rice cookers, and webcams controlled by 5G. The Hacker (Keung) tries to break into these devices to spy on him and steal data.

2. What is IoT?

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Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT refers to everyday objects (Cameras, Fridges, Sensors) connecting to the internet. With 5G, we can connect millions of devices at high speeds.

⚠️ The Risk: Hackers use "Zombie Networks" (Botnets). They infect thousands of weak IoT devices and use them to attack other targets.

3. The Trap: "Plug & Play"

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Default Passwords

Ah Chun plugged in his devices and used them instantly without changing settings. The hacker used a "Brute Force" tool to guess the password easily.

Why? Because many devices come with default passwords like admin / admin or 123456.

4. The Fix

To secure your Smart Home, follow these 4 rules:

  • Change Default Passwords: Never use the factory password. Create a strong, unique one.
  • Update Firmware: Just like your phone needs iOS/Android updates, your Webcam needs "Firmware" updates to fix security holes.
  • Use WPA2/WPA3: Ensure your Wi-Fi router uses these encryption standards.
  • Network Segmentation (Pro Tip): Put smart devices on a "Guest Network" so they are separate from your laptop/banking data.

📝 IoT Security Quiz