Data-security researchers at Indiana University, probing the hacking vulnerabilities of an Internet-connected Crock-Pot, easily took control of the device and other devices that share its Wi-Fi router—but they have found no risk of an attacker remotely setting it on fire. That’s the good news.
Now, the bad news: Internet connectivity is designed into many more devices than consumers realize, including standby kitchen gadgets, home-entertainment systems, and children’s toys. To optimize energy consumption and simplify their lives, consumers have adopted a chattering swarm of robots that generate, gather, and share data via the Internet of Things (IoT).