Outer Limits – Hacking smart devices

There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling the transmission. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the hacking mind to The Outer Limits.

The Outer Limits came to mind when reading about how smart televisions can be hacked easily and not just mined for your account login information but also give hackers control of your tv. You could be planning a nice quiet family evening watching Puss N’ Boots on Netflix and instead be treated by hackers to Porn N’ Boots. Or because youHacking smart devices finally gave in to the nagging on YouTube to login with your Google account so you could watch HD video on your tv, now have your Google account compromised by hackers stealing your credentials via the shoddy security installed on your television.

As Microsoft and Apple get better at securing our computers, hackers are driven to the Outer Limits of the Internet, going after all those other devices that are connected to the wild, wild, web. A lot of those other devices are produced by companies who may be very good at manufacturing say cars or tv or fridges but have had no experience with web security. And they are merrily popping out Internet linked products without a glance to the experience of Microsoft and Apple who have been on the forefront of hacking for decades and without regard for their end users.

And then those devices will be demanding you download and install security patches before you can use them. I think my DVD player insisted I install an update twice last month before I could actually relax and watch something. And my phone wanted an update. And my MP3 player. And my printer. And..

You get the picture. Expect to spend even more time watching screens filled with update goobledegook before you can securely enjoy your devices.