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| Source: http://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2015/01/09/the-internet-of-things |
The Internet
of Things, despite not being new, is becoming a very popular concept. It simplifies
everyday life and makes it more pleasant. According to Cisco estimation, until
2018 the Internet of Things will produce over 400 ZB per year. It means tremendous changes –
not only for business but also for us. There are some pros and cons, which
show it’s not only about living in blissful idleness. Is the IoT equal to
losing privacy?
What is the Internet of things ?
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| Source: http://www.recode.net/2015/1/15/ 11557782/a-beginners-guide-to-understanding -the-internet-of-things |
The main
point in the IoT, described as “the Internet of future”, is not about devices, but
about their potential – data that is collected and sent incessantly in our daily life. It’s about machine-to-machine
communication or connecting devices over the Internet. Thanks to the IoT, smartphones
talk to us, applications and each other. “The popular, if silly, example is the
smart fridge: what if your fridge could tell you it was out of milk, texting
you if its internal cameras saw there was none left, or that the carton was
past its use-by date?”
Please
watch this short video that describes how the IoT works.
As we can
see, the idea is simple. Rebbeca’s car collects information about its engine's status –
she doesn’t have to think about problems. Then, data is sent to a service station,
where specialists react in a proper way.
What’s important, IoT is not only about smart homes or connected appliances.
It includes even smart cities. Think about connected traffic signals that monitor the city traffic or buses coming to a stop with a
lot of passengers. It simplifies everyday life.
What about security?
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| Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/symantec/2014/10/13/conveniently-connected-and-compromised-the-new-security-landscape-of-the-internet-of-things |
Talking
about the Internet of Things, it’s impossible to think of privacy and security.
All connected devices (smartphones,
computers, cameras, cars and so on) collect a lot of personal data of their owners. That’s
why security and privacy is the biggest challenge for IoT. There are some
points of view.
First of
all, security experts alarm that not enough is being done to be sure that our
privacy is safe. There are a lot of computer viruses or people trying to break
into someone’s computer (not only hackers but also “friends”). Nowadays, when
IoT is in its early stage, we can observe many breaking privacy situations. The more
devices and data, the more danger of breaking so what could happen if the number of
devices and data increased a lot?
Next, indeed
hackers haven’t put much attention to IoT, because it’s not worth their
effort, but I can agree with the statement, “as soon as there’s a financial benefit
to hacking smart homes, there will be a cyber criminal working away at it.” Let’s
think about Rebecca who had a problem with her car. It’s simple to hack a car
system and send defective data, which has influence on safety or financial
losses.
On the other
hand, we use devices and the Internet all the time. We send a lot of personal information
publishing posts or photos. Our privacy depends on the way we use it. It’s
very easy to lose privacy sending inappropriate photos.
To sum up, the
Internet of Things is a more and more popular concept, which has big influence on
our daily life. Apart from simple advantages like repairing cars or solving a
problem with traffic jams, it will affect business and work or even
healthcare. There are some dangers connected with security and privacy, but in
my opinion the scale of it depends on users. That’s why I consider the IoT to be an amazing concept that will change the world for better.
Please feel free to present your opinion on this topic.
Bibliography:
Comments
In other words, Watch_Dogs is coming soon :). But overall I consider it a good change, we just need to be careful and always have a backup plan in case of issues.
Do you consider dependency on hardware and software is 'dark scenario'? What about preventing or protecting in another way (e.g. with psyhical key or something else)?
I believe there should be systems that make such things harder to steal, so peoples lives are not worse.
I like the idea of IOT, I'm looking forward to see what will happen next :)
When it comes to security. I will express my opinion on the same example - my car. Everything is wonderful till there aren’t any bugs. Once my car got updated (the main system got an online update) the lights wasn’t working properly (hight beam has switches to late on low beam). At night for other drivers it could be dangerous. The main thing is that i couldn’t switch them by myself because that’s intelligent lights…
A fully agree with Łukasz that we are very dependent on software & hardware what can lead to many serious consequences.
I have a lot of things managed with my smartphone (e.g. light, sockets, sound) in my house. I'm crazy about it.
Have you connected your oven? Or something else?
Do you afraid of updates with bugs in your car? Or you trust this manufacturer? Your life is dependent on it!
What is more important for you - make life easier or keep your privacy?
I like idea of IoT very much because it will make our lives easier. On the other hand we have got a big issue with the security of IoT right now but it will be next step of development (I hope :D)
In my opinion all this type of device should not work in internet but intranet (only for internal use). Personally? I never trust devices which are connected to internet.
Of course, it’s not secure. Even if a manufacturer tells us that it’s secure. People should be aware of that and the use IoT should be their own choice. Nobody forces us to use smartphones. Some people don’t like it and they live in a forest and enjoy their life there.
I personally don’t really care yet if someone will now my heart rate or what stuff is in my fridge. I don’t kill people, I don’t have something to hide from society. But probably I’m too young to understand the importance of privacy.
Moreover, the software of such a devices is often not very complicated and what is more important their security is rather poor. I have recently read an article claiming that such devices become attractive target for hackers, because it is relatively easy to break into them and use them for example for DDoS arttacks.
Most of the people (especially those associated with IT) is aware of such threats, but ordinary users, however, often wouldn't even change default password restricting access to their gadget.
Who has seen that smart home scene in Mr.Robot? ;)
I think, that security isn't a real threat, just see in what way many people are using Facebook or Instagram nowadays. They post about everything they do, tag in every place they visit, so even today it is quite easy to track them down.
In my opinion, the biggest threat is the number of devices connected to Internet. Nowadays, it is still quite easy to break into them, install some malware and use them in DDoS attacks. Few days ago something like this happened and sites like Spotify or Netflix were down, here's the link for more info:
https://www.ddosattacks.net/how-our-household-devices-get-hacked-and-join-zombie-bot-networks-in-ddos-attacks/
I use app which manage light at home. Before installing I thought it is simple gadget, but now I think it is very useful system.
Do you use IoT in your everyday life? What do you think about security? I think nowadays its level is quite rewarding.
I use some of available apps and I'm quite satisifed, but I have a feeling you are not glad about using it. Don't you?
So how to you imagine life not so dependent on hardware? Do you mean "so dependent on hardware" = "without smartphones"?
Since the 90s there are more computers than people so there is a need for those appliances to communicate between each other. That is a huge opportunity for businesses,it is a great investment to take part in the IoT project.
Maybe as a teen I was too fond of science fiction books and was afraid of the uprising machines, but I prefer to control some of the daily processes by myself.
Although probably for busy people it will be very helpful. But even if we don't count the threats to life and health or hacker attacks, what will happen if the system crashes and you'll be forced to come back to real life and to rely only on yourself again?
Of course I would like to have some new useful gadgets, but not to replace all of my time-tested items.