Internet connected devices are attracting a lot of attention. Many, though, have potential security vulnerabilities just waiting to be hacked. The following devices may not have been exploited yet… but considering the possibilities, it’s only a matter of time. Some of these just appeared at the CES show in Las Vegas and may not have hit the street yet but many are already at work in homes and offices.
Netatmo Welcome, uses facial recognition to detect and alert you to people in view. “Welcome” sends the names of the people it recognizes to your smartphone. The camera also notifies you when it sees an unknown face. Through the app you can check who is currently home, access live stream and past events.
Netatmo Welcome
Netatmo touts “stunning HD images, extensive 130 degree field of view, and superior night vision”
Petcube brings video and audio monitoring into your living room. It includes a laser pointer allowing you to view and talk to your pet while keeping them amused chasing the remote controlled red dot. Place it on a shelf, let it connect to your WiFi, and you can share audio and video of your private moments with all of your friends.
Petcube
Motorola Scout 5000 “It’s like a Petcube with legs”, a GPS collar that streams video and audio to your phone or tablet, as well as letting you transmit voice through the unit.
Scout 5000, audio and video monitoring dog collar.
The same unit could easily be camouflaged if deployed with the right disguise.
Snap light bulb wifi camera, by Sengled. This multi-function light bulb contains a webcam, motion sensor, microphone and speaker. The Snap screws into a standard socket and features motion detection, facial recognition, and geo-fencing capabilities that enable it to tell when a family member leaves the house. The Snap will ship later this year, price expected to be around $199.
Sengled Snap LED light bulb with camera and facial recognition.
Then vs Now
From refrigerators to light bulbs to coffee makers, as more and more devices become connected, they will all have a communications channel built in. The possibility of modifications to allow eavesdropping is becoming more apparent.
THEN:
 An eavesdropping transmitter circuit was found in this model Mr. Coffee during a TSCM inspection. |
 Inspection of the coffee machine revealed hidden transmitter circuit, lower right. (Click for detailed view.) |
NOW:
WiFi Wemo Mr. Coffee
Smarter’s WiFi coffee machine.
Past generations of spy technology included building transmitters into coffee pots or lamps, as the devices had power readily available inside the unit. These same devices will now have network communications as well as power built in, opening a new realm where TSCM inspection becomes very necessary.
Just add a networked microphone or camera, and maybe some cream and sugar, to suit your taste.