Safer Internet Day: what about the Internet of Things?

On February 8, the 19th edition of Safer Internet Day was held. But where are we in terms of securing our connected objects?

Surely you've heard plenty of advice about using unique, hard-to-guess passwords for all your online accounts, hiding your internet browsing with VPNs when using Wi-Fi hotspots, Public fi or to be wary of unsolicited e-mails telling you that a package is intended for you? But in 2022, this is no longer enough.

For years, millions of devices that weren't designed with cybersecurity in mind have been connecting to the Internet every day. They transfer your sensitive and personal data to servers on the internet. This is how more and more everyday devices integrate computers, while few of us are really aware of it.

We innocently call them “Connected Objects” or “Internet of Things” (IOT). This myriad of so-called "smart" devices surround us and increasingly take advantage of the Internet, whether it's light bulbs or ovens that you can turn on remotely, a connected refrigerator that can determine what must be ordered, from baby monitors, cars to medical implants… The debate on the safety of these new objects is vast.

In some cases, the benefits can perplex us. Is owning an internet-connected fridge really necessary or are we just influenced by marketing? A dryer sharing diagnostic information with a service team and updating itself. It all seems really convenient and not very dangerous for our data security at first sight. Conversely, a vehicle that can communicate with other cars to find out where the risks are on our journey seems very useful. However, this should raise questions about the fate of our data and the recording of our movements.

The IOT is a subject that divides and questions many of us. Some companies may seem lax on security and privacy as the general public continues to embrace these gadgets with open arms without noticeable awareness.

But, it should be noted that despite the flaws regularly detected on connected objects, these are often quickly corrected. You just have to be careful with the data that you transmit like on any digital device and update regularly to be safe.

The Safer Internet Day could be, this year, the occasion to reflect on our use of the Internet of Things. Make your choices in soul and conscience. The ideal use is surely in a happy medium.

Tribune by Benoit Grunemwald, Cybersecurity Expert, ESET France (LinkedIn).