The Internet of Things (IoT) has altered the dynamics of human interaction with technology-from smart homes through industrial automation, medical devices, and vehicles. By 2025, 75 billion IoT devices will roam our world’s surface, giving them a meaningful role in the digital transformation agenda. However, with the fast adoption of IoT technologies, security threats start to rear their ugly heads.

Notwithstanding the improvements in cybersecurity, IoT vulnerabilities evolve, endangering businesses, governments, and consumers with cyberattacks. These mainly constitute weak authentication, unpatched firmware, insecure communications, and lack of standard issuance protocols, all of which enhance the attractiveness of IoT to criminals. This blog post will discuss the main vulnerabilities in IoT followed by real-world attacks and best practices to counteract threats against these connected devices.

Major IoT Vulnerabilities

1. Weak Authentication and Default Credentials
Many IoT devices come equipped with factory-set usernames and passwords that users never bother changing. Hackers easily exploit these weak credentials to get unauthorized access. One clear example is the Mirai botnet attack in 2016, which infected many IoT devices with default credentials to launch massive DDoS attacks.

2. Failure of Patching Firmware and Software
Manufacturers of IoT devices often launch their devices with out-of-date software, and most fail to provide regular security updates. The attackers exploit unpatched vulnerabilities to install malware, take control of the device, or extract sensitive information. An example of this occurred in 2021 when a vulnerability (CVE-2021-28372) in Realtek SDK enabled Remote Code Execution (RCE) attacks against millions of IoT devices.

3. Enforcement of Insecure Communication Protocols
The protocol used by most communication between IoT devices is weak and unsecured, hence vulnerable to Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks. Such devices are not encrypted, hence information such as credentials can be captured by attackers who may modify device commands or simply stop communication between IoT systems all together.

4. Lack of Visibility and Monitoring of Devices
An IoT device is often installed by organizations without proper inventory management leading to shadow IoT-an entity that has connected itself to the network without oversight of IT. Without continuous monitoring, organizations are often oblivious to the security threat until something happens.

5. Weakness in Supply Chain
While multiple entities play a role in ensuring IoT security, potentially compromised third-party components raise security red flags. A decent secure supply chain is an easy avenue for an attacker to insert backdoors or tamper with firmware prior to the devices reaching their end-users. An example commonly cited is the SolarWinds supply chain attack in 2020, which showed how adversaries can manipulate vendor dependencies and compromise networks.

The Mirai Botnet (2016) – IoT DDoS Attack: Attackers gained access to thousands of IoT devices, primarily CCTV cameras and routers, all relying on weak default passwords.
The botnet hit a new record of 1.2 Tbps in the DDoS attack on these major websites, including Twitter, Netflix, and GitHub.

Stuxnet (2010) – Nation-State IoT Exploit: A sophisticated cyberweapon targeting the industrial IOT (ICS/SCADA) systems in Iranian nuclear facilities.
The worm made the centrifuges transport its operation to explode inside IoT without detecting it.

Verkada Camera Breach (2021) – Unauthorised Surveillance:
To hack into 150,000 IoT-connected security cameras mounted in Tesla, hospitals, schools, and police departments, the execution was opened such hard-coded administrator credentials that exposed sensitive surveillances.

Smart Home Device Hacks (Ongoing)
How hacked smart locks, baby monitors, and home assistants can be controlled remotely was on demonstration by researchers. For instance, one case had the Ring security camera hacked and used to spy on the homeowner’s actions. Persistence of IoT vulnerabilities

Security is Often an Afterthought
The majority of IoT manufacturers produce excellent-performing, cost-effective appliances, but the end results are products that do not include minimal or no basic protections.No Security Standards Available Across the Industry Widely enough, IoT does not have security regulations as in traditional IT systems. Nevertheless, some likenesses such as NIST IoT Security Guidelines have been in place, but still little enforcement globally is being done.

Device Lifecycle Length With Less Updates
That is, while many IoT devices make provision for 5 to 10 years of their work life, most will receive very little software updates, as compared with smartphones and computers, resulting in exposure to possible zero-day exploits.

Increasing Attack Surface
The numbers of connected devices are rapidly increasing, flatly leaving no room for organizations to manage their security at this growth stage. Each added IoT device becomes another attack vector.
Securing IoT Devices:

Idealize Replacing Default Credentials at First Instance
Change weak passwords into stronger, unique passwords. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) when applicable. Disable unneeded remote access feature to prevent unauthorized access.

Always Update Firms
Timely provision of IoT vendor security update and the vulnerability patching.
Automated patching tools are great to keep such devices safe.

Segment Network
You keep IoT device on separate Vlan/subnet to avoid lateral movement at breach detection.
Install Firewalls and intrusion detection system (IDS/IPS) to monitor IoT traffic network.

Exchange Data Encrypt and Communication Secure
Implement TLS/SSL encryption along with the device communication in order to recognize MITM attacks.
Use VPNs for remotes on an IoT system.

Always Review and Audit IoT Devices
Deployment of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution analyzers into detection for an anomaly. Frequent penetration testing; finding vulnerability before the attackers do.

A Workplace Toward No Trust Security
Least privilege access for the IoT device with meaning that it communicates only to trusted sources.
Access shall also require this condition of strict identity verification as to whom communicates.