As the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes more sophisticated, more people are opting for smart products, including smart doorbells, smart doorknobs, smart home appliances, etc.
However, with convenience, these devices also bring along a security risk making your house an easy target for hackers. According to a recent study by Which?, a UK based blog that provides users with reviews of products and services to make informed choices, major security flaws in popular smart doorbells are putting consumers at risk of being targeted by hackers inside their homes.
It details that smart doorbells being sold on online platforms such as Amazon and eBay could easily be hacked or switched off by criminals.
They’ve tested 11 devices from brands including Qihoo, Ctronics, and Victure. These products were purchased from popular online marketplaces in the UK. Which? found out that the doorbells had weak password policies and a lack of data encryption.
Out of the 11, two of the devices could be manipulated to steal network passwords and then hack other smart devices within the home. Amongst these, the best-selling Smart Video Doorbell was found to be sending users’ home network names and passwords unencrypted to servers in China.
Hence, in the wake of the findings, the company has urged the government for new legislation to safeguard consumers. Moreover, Amazon has removed at least seven product listings.
Kate Bevan, computing editor at Which? said,
Government legislation to tackle unsecure products should be introduced without delay and must be backed by an enforcement body with teeth that is able to crack down on these devices.
