In recent news, hackers made a huge video billboard in Atlanta display an obscene image. The attackers are believed to have been able to take over the billboard because it used an easy-to-guess password on its net-connected remote administration system.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-32826351
Tim Erlin, Director of Security and Product Manager at Tripwire reflects on the reasons behind the breach and the more serious possible implications.
“The Internet of Things isn’t just for that nifty thermostat you installed.
While an obscene image might be offensive, this vulnerability could have been used to convey a much more malicious message, possibly even causing real harm to people in Atlanta or elsewhere.
This attack demonstrates one end of the spectrum of security concerns that worry information security professionals. Using a strong password is a very basic security requirement, yet it continues to be an issue in the real world. At the other end of the spectrum, we have complex vulnerabilities in cryptographic protocols. Both extremes are important, and exist simultaneously.”