In 2009, just as consumers had begun to buy wifi-enabled thermostats and front-door cams and other early devices that now make up the “Internet of Things,” computer scientist Ang Cui had gotten the idea to scan the Web for “trivially vulnerable” embedded devices.
By trivial, he meant those devices that still carried the usernames and passcodes programmed into them at the factory—obvious usernames like “name” and passcodes like “1234.” Many of these codes were published in manuals available freely on the internet and easily scanned automatically with computer programs, so there was no need even to guess.
When he did his scan, Cui found more than one million vulnerable, publicly accessible devices in 144 countries. From this sample, he estimated that about 13 percent of all devices connected to the internet were essentially unlocked doors, waiting for a hacker to walk through. Even more alarming, four months later 96 percent of those devices had the same security holes.
Cui’s warning was no less terrifying for its deadpan delivery: “Widely deployed and often misconfigured, embedded network devices constitute highly attractive targets for exploitation.”
This story is from the November 1, 2019 edition of Newsweek.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 1, 2019 edition of Newsweek.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Is It Time to Leave Syria?
The U.S. is reportedly considering withdrawing from the country, with pressure from Damascus amid deepening unrest in the region. Is this the right move? Two experts weigh in
Chris Perfetti
IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS SINGING THE PRAISES of ABC's Abbott Elementary, fear not, they've heard you. \"We love to hear it,\" says Chris Perfetti, who plays Jacob Hill on the Emmy-winning sitcom about teachers at a Philadelphia public school.
Divine Intervention
POPE FRANCIS' PROGRESSIVE REPOSITIONING OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS CREATED BATTLE LINES BETWEEN ITS 1.3 BILLION FOLLOWERS, NO MORE SO THAN IN THE UNITED STATES
Who Rules Gaza When the Fighting Stops?
With no clear leader coming to the fore, questions remain about how the devastated territory will be managed
No End Game in Sight
Benjamin Netanyahu is risking a pyrrhic victory in Gaza that damages the chances of long-term peace
'We're Living a Nightmare - Day After Day'
Families of three Israeli hostages share their pain as they wait for their loved ones to be released, six months after they were abducted
Gillian Anderson
IF THERE'S ONE THING THAT'S TRUE ABOUT GILLIAN ANDERSON, IT'S THAT she isn't afraid of a challenge.
Alex Edelman
A JEW ACCIDENTALLY STUMBLES UPON A gathering of white nationalists. For most, this would be a cause for concern, but for Alex Edelman it's an opportunity for a hit one-man comedy show.
LEGACY OF DISUPTION
TOM DOLL CHANGED THE WAY SUBARU OPERATES. During a 40-year tenure at the automaker, he worked to develop some of the best-known vehicles and marketing campaigns in the automotive world.
SUSTAINABILITY DISRUPTOR OF THE YEAR
SUSTAINABILITY ISN'T JUST ABOUT BUYING an electric vehicle or driving in a way that saves fuel.