The Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT)

Here's an update to the issue I wrote about in my post below, dated 7/31/15.

From the FBI, 9/10/15...

http://www.ic3.gov/media/2015/150910.aspx

<<Here's my original article>>

Following last month's reported vulnerability of some Chrysler vehicles to Internet hacking, I thought you might benefit from knowing more about The Internet of Things (IoT), which the Chrysler issue concerns. It's an important bit of knowledge for all of us as we become increasingly immersed in connected technologies. (You can read about the Chrysler hack here.)

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)? This term includes any device that sends or receives data via the Internet - from phones and tablets to home appliances, vehicles, and medical devices.

More and more cars, appliances, wearables, lighting, healthcare, and home security systems contain sensing devices that can "talk" to another machine and trigger additional actions. This talking can occur in your home WiFi network and/or remotely over the Internet. The device can be controlled by you via an app on your phone for example, and/or the device can receive downloads from the device manufacturer online without your involvement.

Here are some examples of IoT devices:

• Automated devices which remotely or automatically adjust lighting or HVAC
• Security systems, such as security alarms or Wi-Fi cameras, including video monitors used in nursery and daycare settings
• Medical devices, such as wireless heart monitors or insulin dispensers
• Thermostats
• Wearables, such as fitness devices
• Lighting modules which activate or deactivate lights
• Smart appliances, such as smart refrigerators and TVs
• Office equipment, such as printers
• Entertainment devices to control music or television from a mobile device
• Fuel monitoring systems  

Security of such devices is not guaranteed. Though many security and resilience risks are not new, the scale of interconnectedness created by the IoT increases the consequences of known risks and creates new ones.

What can you do to protect your connected devices in this brave new world? 

• Keep up with the news reported about the IoT and security concerns.
• Respond to threats that pertain to a device you own promptly. 
• Update the software regularly. Do this on the device itself as well as the apps (on your phone and tablet) used to control the device.
• Have a good understanding of how a device works. What is the nature of its connection to the Internet? What information does it store and transmit? Do you feel comfortable about the information it's sharing with the manufacturer? 
• Secure your network. Properly secure the network you use to connect your Internet-enabled devices, which can be wired or wireless. One model I'm recommending is a WiFi router with private and guest access. Connect your home appliances, bluray player, and other such devices to the guest WiFi. Connect your computers, phones, and tablets to the private WiFi. This provides some firewalling of the appliance-type of equipment from your computers in case one of the appliances becomes infected by a new virus or is hacked. 

Thanks for reading. Your feedback is appreciated!

Aloha, Sam

You can subscribe to email tips by visiting www.kokuadigital.com and entering your name, email, and "add to email list" in the request form, then click Send. 

Update All Your Digital Devices

Update All Your Digital Devices

Many of you are becoming akamai about the importance of installing software updates on your computers. Great! But don't neglect your other devices.

With the rapid increase in digital device hacking, it's very important to keep these devices updated as well:

• smartphones

• tablets

• ebook readers

• bluray devices

• roku boxes

• modems

• routers

• gaming consoles

• video camera systems

• other devices in your home or office connected to the Internet (see my Internet of Things blog post.)

If you'd like to stay on top of this challenge, it can be helpful to make a table or spreadsheet of your Internet-connected equipment. List the type of equipment, the make and model, serial number, date of last update, software version, tech support phone number, notes, etc. 

This way you won't go batty trying to keep track of what's been updated when. (In the office, you could assign this to a staff member; at home, a teenager - put 'em to work!)

Before updating any device, plug it into a reliable power source. And be prepared for it to take longer than you'd expect. For example, don't update your smartphone if you have to use it for an important call in 15 minutes.

Thanks for reading.
Sam

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Update Your Firefox Plugins

Update Your Firefox Plugins

If you're a Mozilla Firefox browser user, like me, be sure to regularly check if you have the latest plugins. 

Plugins are third-party browser add-ons, like Adobe Flash Player, which provide additional features. 

To check the plugin status in Firefox, do this:

1. Open Firefox
2. Click the three horizontal bars at upper right
3. Click the Add-ons icon
4. In the next window, at left, click the Plugins icon
5. At the top of this window, click the link "Check to see if your plugins are up to date"

Firefox will now check for you, then notify you what is and is not current. I recommend updating any plugin that's not current. It's a security risk to not do so.

When finished updating your plugins, close Firefox, then re-open it, and check the plugins again, just to be sure you got all the updates. 

Thanks for reading. Your feedback is appreciated!

Aloha, Sam

You can subscribe to email tips by visiting www.kokuadigital.com and entering your name, email, and "add to email list" in the request form, then click Send.