Experts: Everyday household appliances can be targeted in cyberattacks
Following a cyberattack on grocery store refrigerators in France, experts warn that any internet-connected device can become a threat. Estonian authorities say the situation in Estonia is relatively good.
Experts in Estonia are warning that in the internet age, every connected device is a potential threat. The warning follows a cyberattack on hundreds of grocery stores in France on October 11, when hackers raised refrigerator temperatures to as high as 50 degrees Celsius, spoiling large quantities of food. The information was reported by Estonian public broadcaster ERR.
Vulnerabilities in everyday devices
Technology expert Glen Pilvre said the damage amounted to millions of euros. He noted that everything is interconnected, and if the protection of those connections is weak, an outsider can get in. According to him, many kinds of devices are online, such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners and refrigerators. Their software may be out of date, and passwords may be easy to guess.
He cited a case in which a casino's aquarium control system was open to outside attacks. Because it sat on the internal network, the intruders used it to obtain casino customers' data.
The situation in Estonia
In Estonia, the Information System Authority (RIA) is responsible for preventing such vulnerabilities. The agency believes the situation is relatively good compared with France: providers of vital services must meet strict requirements and are constantly monitored. Taavi Kupper, head of RIA's incident response department, said few devices are connected to the internet. The companies affected have already been contacted and given instructions on how to hide or close off access points. The agency did not say which companies are involved.
Mart Noorma, professor of space and defense technology at the University of Tartu, said artificial intelligence also helps malicious actors do more harm faster, but equally helps defenders protect themselves. Kupper said AI has made attacks very fast: in the past, after a vulnerability was found, a 30-day update cycle could be expected, whereas now vulnerabilities are exploited within two to 24 hours.
Defense forces
Experts say today's hackers are after quick profit rather than household appliances. The Estonian Defense Forces said military infrastructure is overseen much more strictly. Cyber Command chief René Innos said there are around 100,000 incidents per day on average, which is not seen as a particular threat, and 20–30 serious incidents a year.
