Security Expert Warns Smart Home Devices Pose Serious Hacking Risks

Cybersecurity expert Ken Munro has revealed how ordinary smart home devices including internet-connected kettles and children's talking dolls can become gateways for serious digital security breaches. During a live demonstration at Türkiye Innovation Week in Istanbul, the ethical hacker showcased real-time vulnerabilities in Internet of Things (IoT) technology, warning that seemingly minor security oversights can lead to significant privacy and data compromises.

Munro, founder of ethical hacking firm Pen Test Partners, conducted the security demonstration at the Halic Congress Center as part of Türkiye's premier innovation event. He explained his profession to attendees by noting, "We're brought in by organizations to hack them in a controlled way so they can find the bugs and vulnerabilities, fix them, and then the bad hackers can't do anything." The session highlighted how even basic connected household items can be exploited by cybercriminals.

The cybersecurity specialist emphasized several fundamental protective measures, starting with password management. "If you reuse the same password in multiple places, hackers can use that to hack your account," Munro cautioned. He equally stressed the importance of regular software updates across all devices, noting that "when your smartphone says, 'Hey, I've got an update,' that software is fixing security flaws" in everything from computers to smart refrigerators.

Munro recommended implementing multifactor authentication as an additional security layer and warned against phishing attempts that trick users into visiting malicious websites. He specifically advised changing default Wi-Fi passwords, stating "if it's the one that's written on the side of your router, you have a problem." Regarding device manufacturers, he expressed greater trust in established brands like Google and Amazon due to their financial capacity to maintain robust cybersecurity measures.