The Aargauer Zeitung has reported that around three million smart toothbrushes have been infected by hackers and used to carry out a DDoS attack on a Swiss company’s website. The toothbrushes, normally used for tracking and improving oral hygiene habits, were enslaved into a botnet after being infected with malware. This resulted in the collapse of the firm’s website and millions of Euros in business losses. The toothbrush botnet was found to be vulnerable due to its Java-based operating system, highlighting the potential risks of connecting everyday devices to the internet.
Stefan Zuger from Fortinet, a global cybersecurity firm in Switzerland, provided tips to protect connected devices such as toothbrushes, routers, surveillance cameras, and washing machines from potential cyber attacks. He warned that every device connected to the internet is a potential target and can be misused for an attack. Zuger emphasized the continuous arms race between device makers and cyber criminals, with hackers constantly probing for vulnerabilities in connected devices. Fortinet’s recent experiment showed that an ‘unprotected’ PC became malware-ridden in just 20 minutes after being connected to the internet, underscoring the urgent need for improved cybersecurity measures.
The incident with the smart toothbrushes serves as a cautionary tale about the security risks associated with Internet of Things (IoT) devices. As more everyday items become connected to the internet, it is crucial for individuals and manufacturers to prioritize cybersecurity to prevent similar incidents from happening and to protect against potential cyber attacks targeting a wide range of connected devices.