[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/blackhole_596.jpg” thumb_width=”150″ /]One week after the Dyn DDoS attack, the post-mortems get more alarming. Our Readers knew they were coming in 2014-2015 (our ‘Is IoT really necessary–and dangerous?)

IoT devices, and a lot of older networked medical devices, have been proven to be easy to hack, as even this non-ITer, non-codegeek realized then. But those in tech have been to this movie before–with Bluetooth circa 2002! Now shouldn’t designers have learned? From ZDNet:

“It’s almost like we’ve learned nothing from Bluetooth” says Justin Dolly, CISO at cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes.

“Seeing what these IoT vendors are doing, it just blows me away because they haven’t learned from history,” says Steve Manzuik, director of security research at Duo Security’s Duo Labs. “They’ve completely ignored everything that’s ever had bad vulnerabilities”.

Many of these devices, according to these experts, have default log in credentials, if they have them at all. IoT devices are also allegedly findable on a snoop site called Shodan. Reason why: the financial and market need to get products out fast and cheaply.

Over at data security company Varonis’ blog, with the great title in part, “Revenge of the Internet of Things”, another succinct and telling quote:

Once upon a time in early 2016, we were talking with pen tester Ken Munro about the security of IoT gadgetry — everything from wireless doorbells to coffee makers and other household appliances. I remember his answer when I asked about basic security in these devices. His reply: “You’re making a big step there, which is assuming that the manufacturer gave any thought to an attack from a hacker at all.”

Privacy by Design is not part of the vocabulary of the makers of these IoT gadgets

Varonis also gives a how-to on changing settings in your router so you don’t become a victim, and how to secure your gadgets.

Bottom line: when Hackermania is Running Wild, do you, or anyone, really need to be an early adopter of an internet- connected coffee maker or fridge? And if you need internet-connected home security, telemedicine virtual consults, telehealth/remote patient monitoring or telecare….best heed Varonis and secure it!

Earlier in TTA: Friday’s cyberattack is a shot-over-bow for healthcare