Smart appliances could be vulnerable to cyber hacking

Adding cyber security ratings in Internet-connected devices, along with price and energy-efficiency, can give consumers a clear picture of how protected a smart device is before they purchase the product.

With the number of Internet-connected devices used by homes and business poised to hit 75 billion in the next decade, law-enforcement experts are urging manufacturers to introduce security ratings for these smart devices to help deter the threats of cybercrime.

In an article posted recently by The Guardian, police in the UK warned that Wi-Fi-enabled appliances such as TVs, cookers, kettles and refrigerators linked to home computers and mobile phones can be used by hackers to gain access to personal information, including bank accounts.

They pointed out that although there are no incidents recorded yet such crimes, the risk of smart appliances being targeted by cyber criminals to gather personal data is there.

Experts suggest that manufacturers should provide cyber security ratings in Internet-connected devices, along with quality, price and energy-efficiency, to give consumers a clear picture of how protected a smart device is before they purchase the product.

A recent survey revealed that in the past year, more than 66 million people in the US have purchased Internet-connected devices. By 2020, more than 60 percent of consumers in this North America country is expected to own a smart TV.