Researcher: IoT ransomware is more dangerous than traditional ransomware

Experts recently published an article saying that ransomware for the Internet of Things devices will be more destructive than traditional ransomware. Experts pointed out that although the popularity of the Internet of Things has promoted the advancement of technology, it has also helped hackers expand their attack range, from the industrial control system using IoT devices to the home networking camera, which may become the target of hackers.

In the traditional ransomware attack, hackers will encrypt the files on the victim’s device to extort ransom. In the ransomware attack against IoT devices, hackers can not only encrypt files stored on the device but also completely take over the device or its internal network. After taking over the device, hackers can cause devastating consequences such as the being connected to the vehicle, the power is cut, the sensitive information being leaked, and even the production line shut down. Therefore, hackers can open their mouths to the victims and ask for an extremely high ransom.

At present, the Internet of Things industry is still in a highly dispersed stage. It is difficult for hackers to launch large-scale attacks. However, with the popularity of the Internet of Things, hackers may still launch large-scale attacks in the future. Therefore, experts recommend that relevant manufacturers should promptly perform remote firmware updates, ensure the security of the update channel, and join reliable authentication.