Rapid increase in attacks on “smart” devices in the first half of 2018

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In the first half of 2018, the “Internet of Things (IoT)” devices received more than 120,000 attacks of malware, according to a report by the Russian cyber-security company “Kaspersky Lab”.

As reported in the announcement, this figure is three times the figure recorded for the whole of 2017.

The Kaspersky Lab warns that the rapid growth in the wider family of malware targeting “smart” devices is the continuation of a dangerous trend.

Also, as it points out, in 2017, the number of “smart” devices threats has multiplied tenfold compared to 2016.

According to the findings of the report, in the first half of 2018, the number of malware modifications targeted at “IoT devices” registered by researchers was three times the number registered throughout 2017.

Statistics show that the most popular method of spreading malware is still the repeated use of passwords in various combinations. This tactic is used in 93% of localized attacks.

According to the announcement, “in order to reduce the risk of ” contamination “, users are advised to:

• Install updates for the firmware they are using as soon as possible. Once a vulnerability has been found, it can be corrected through updates.
• Always change pre-installed passwords and use sophisticated passwords that include capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
• Restart a device as soon as they think it acts strange. It can help get rid of existing malware, but that does not reduce the risk of another “infection”.

Source: www.kathimerini.gr