A report shows that a home of interconnected internet-connected devices is a security nightmare

The Internet of Things (IoT) is gradually filling our homes with internet-enabled devices, but the appearance of convenience and home management has paved the way for a security nightmare, experts warn.

The Bitdefender – Netgear 2024 Threat Report (PDF) states that maintaining a secure network of IoT devices is becoming increasingly difficult due to unpatched critical security vulnerabilities, which are then often exploited by attackers.

The report shows that the devices most vulnerable to attack are Smart TVs (31%), followed by routers (24%) and IP cameras (12%).

The explosion of the Internet of Things

Worryingly, and somewhat expectedly, almost every IoT use relies on previously known common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) that have not been patched by the device owner, and the average home contains 21 internet-connected devices.

Moreover, home networks are being attacked more than 10 times a day, up from 8 in 2023. Bitdefender revealed in a report that its home security solution combats an average of 2.5 million threats every day.

So why do homes experience so many attacks? The most likely answer is that people are holding on to their devices longer because many devices, such as smart TVs, become unsupported once they reach their expected lifespan.

New legislation is expected to be signed into law to combat the threats facing IoT devices, and the US government will introduce the Cyber Trust Mark to help people buy devices that meet rigorous security standards.

Until this standard was introduced, Bitdefender and Netgear recommended that IoT devices be kept up to date with the latest firmware, IoT devices be separated into a separate guest network rather than the main home network, and device owners invest in an advanced security solution or firewall to prevent protect all your devices from attackers.