Proofpoint security researchers report first cyberattack from the ‘Internet of Things’

Submitted by Avinash Tripathi on Sun, 01/19/2014 - 07:42 

Earlier this week, security researchers at Proofpoint security service revealed that they have discovered a "global attack campaign" involving the so-called 'Internet of Things' - that is, the inter-related world of appliances, gadgets, wearable devices, medical devices, and multi-media centers.
Terming the large-scale hack as the first cyberattack from the Internet of Things, Proofpoint security researchers said that the hack underscored the first home appliance "botnet" and involved 'smart' home appliances including TV sets and at least one refrigerator.
According to the details shared by Proofpoint security researchers about the cyberattack, the worldwide attack campaign involved over 750,000 malicious emails and more than 100,000 "everyday consumer gadgets" which had been compromised by hackers and used as a platform for launching attacks.

As per the security researchers, the 'Internet of Things' cyberattack was launched during the two-week period between December 23, 2013 and January 6, 2014. During the attack, the hackers sent out "waves of malicious email" - apparently in bursts of 100,000 up to three times a day - from Internet-connected 'smart' home devices. The attack targeted enterprises and individuals across the world.
The security researchers are describing the attack as "may be the first proven Internet of Things (IoT)-based cyberattack" because more than 25 percent of the volume of malicious emails were not sent through laptops, desktops, or mobile devices like smartphones or tablets; but through 'smart' home appliances.