Sunday 17 March 2013
A hacker who goes by the name Daniel B has demonstrated how a seemingly innocuous home automation product can be turned into potentially lethal weapon. The Belkin WeMo, an Internet-connected electric outlet was designed to allow users to turn devices on and off via their smartphones, and also to check whether dangerous appliances have been left on by accident. Daniel B has posted a video to YouTube detailing how he managed to gain root access to WeMo device and switch it on and off enough to cause appliances such as coffee makers to become dangerous. He postulate that malware could soon start scanning home networks for such devices and infect them, granting remote access to any attacker. Someone with malicious intent could then use the capability to start fires, or at least destroy electric appliances.
ALSO SEE: NOKIA PROMISES NOT TO SPY
