LG created a smart vacuum cleaner that contained a camera so the device could also be used as a home-monitoring system. An Israeli security firm, however, discovered a security flaw that allowed them to take control of the camera.
After the firm released a video of its technicians hacking into the vacuum, LG fixed the bug in September—and entered into a partnership with the firm to find security vulnerabilities in its products.
Smart home goods have been ripe areas for attackers. In 2014, hackers used smart TVs, home networking routers, wireless speakers, and even a refrigerator to orchestrate a phishing scheme.
The previous year, a security firm found that hackers could easily take control of the Satis smart toilet causing rising water costs, not to mention general annoyance to users.
See our cover story: The Dangers of Digital Things
Attribution: Text by Victor Li; photo by Shutterstock.com.