Why would anyone want to hack a refrigerator?

The malware refrigerator, brrrrrr

• Researchers at security firm Proof point have discovered the first cyberattack in which televisions are involved, other objects connected to the internet and even a fridge
• As with mobile, as the new smart devices are connected to the Internet, security threats appear

Researchers have discovered a network of 'bots', including at least one TV and a fridge.

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Before asking for what purpose someone runs a cyberattack against a fridge be a question: how is it possible? Traditionally a refrigerator used to store food and keep it fresh until the moment we decided to eat them or sometimes until we get dragged after the expiration date is a thing of the distant past. However, the internet of things is introducing the network connection objects that did not go beyond an appliance or a non-digital electronic device.
One of the consequences of being connected to the network this time-leaving aside the benefits-is that the devices are exposed to cyberattacks. The security company Proof point has discovered a network of bots (infected devices) that has sent more than 750,000 malicious emails. It is one of many researchers that these businesses encounter, but with a particularity. Among infected are televisions, multimedia devices connected to the network and at least one refrigerator .

It is the first case detected malware on the Internet of things. Until now had speculated that it could happen, but confirmation had not yet arrived. Proof point found that between December 23 and January 6 botnet of 100,000 emails sent waves of spam. Of these, more than 25% were not from computers or mobile devices.

Another potential Internet threats is espionage things. Perhaps the most viable are targeted attacks, which are first infected vulnerable device

Vicente Diaz, senior analyst of malware Kaspersky qualifies for the news story by its distinctive character, but recognizes that more and more devices will be connected to the Internet. Diaz is convinced that infected devices have been victims of a massive attack aimed at computers or phones, no televisions or specifically directed to the internet of things. "If such is the case it seems that it was just a network sending spam, I think even the guys who have known they were infected infecting a refrigerator, "says the analyst.
Proofpoint has been identified as the cause of the infection have less security than these objects against computers or tablets. Diaz agrees with this diagnosis. "A large manufacturer, which manufactures devices or appliances, you might not have in mind the safety or simply is very expensive," he explains. As for why they have infected disparate devices such as a television, a refrigerator or a media center, Kaspersky analyst suspects that all these devices have a Windows , because "almost always looking for cheap".

See related post: They made the parasite refrigerator

"If it all costs us maintain a safe system as our PC, and we have to break your head to do so, for a manufacturer to keep your device safe, do not believe as you have thought both to get security updates and things of this style, "says Diaz. Given this situation, it is assumed that in the future there will be more attacks on the internet of things. As happened with the Android platform when it was popularized and security threats jumped.

The increase of devices based on the internet of things is bound to lack of protection. " This kind of thing will increasingly move because all these systems often have failures and structural design because at the time no one thought these problems and the new versions are inheriting, "says Diaz. The proliferation of these actions depends primarily on how attackers find a way to monetize. On threats from infecting those devices that are on the internet of things, Diaz is reluctant to launch speculation. Half jokingly, said the ability to block access to a house in the style of ransomware, which prevent the user from accessing your computer until you pay an amount to the attacker.

Another potential Internet threats is espionage things. But perhaps the most viable are targeted attacks, in which first infect the vulnerable device, as might be the fridge, then get a laptop in the house and so on until reaching the ultimate goal, for example, mobile the owner of the house or your office computer.

There is another disturbing aspect of malware on the Internet of things, and when infection occurs on a large scale . "We see it in smart cities, how to hack the big screens or how a virus sneaks into nowhere and leave traffic lights not working, "says Diaz.

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