Security Vulnerabilities in Top Christmas Gifts

Security Vulnerabilities in Top Christmas Gifts

Internet connected devices might be the hot item for Christmas this year, but are they secure?

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Nov 23, 2018

Smart devices are on everyone Christmas list this year. From smart assistants to connected toys, everyone wants an Internet of Things device under the tree. But before you go gifting these top gifts this holiday season, it might be worth it to check whether or not it is one of the good ones.

Mozilla has produced a ranking of 70 top gifts this holiday season based on its security risk level. Each device was graded on a number of measures including the data it collects, is the data encrypted and when is it transmitted. Mozilla also looked at who the data is shared with and what is the worst-case scenario if something did go wrong. 

Here are just a few products that received the lowest scores on the list, a few might surprise you.

FREDI Baby Monitor

The FREDI Baby Monitor was on Mozilla's list as one of the "creepier" devices. The product, made to help parents check in on their little ones has a camera and microphone with connected app. According to Mozilla, the product does not use encryption and does not require the user to change the default password of "123," easily making the camera hackable. The camera also does not have automatic security updates, a way to fill in any holes that are vulnerable.

Mozilla says that the "product does a seemingly poor job protecting privacy and security." Potentially, someone could, and it has been proven before that they can, access the video feed and spy on the user and its family. 

Dobby Pocket Drone

This drone is one of the smallest and cheapest drones on the market this holiday season. The device touts HD video, 360-degree views and a size that will literally fit in your pocket. However, without a minimum security standard and privacy policy, it doesn't matter if this drone can fit in your pocket. 

Mozilla says this product doesn't fit the bill for their security standards and the relaxed security of the device could lead to videos being taken by someone else or your location data stolen by someone you don't know.

Petzi Treat Cam

This camera designed to allow pet owners peek in on their pets when they are not home seems like a good idea. The device allows you to see, talk and fling treats at your pet through a connected app. It's wide-angle lens, high quality audio and app might make you think this is the perfect gift for your friend who is obsessed with their dog, but alas, this device did not meet Mozilla's minimum security standards.

The device does use encryption, but the right kind of hacker can, and will, use the device to spy on you and your dog. With the trendy functionality of the smartphone application, the hacker can also post pictures of your and your dog on social media. Creepy.

Click here to browse through all the products evaluated by Mozilla.


About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

  • Unlocking Trustworthy AI: Building Transparency in Security Governance

    In situations where AI supports important security tasks like leading investigations and detecting threats and anomalies, transparency is essential. When an incident occurs, investigators must trace the logic behind each automated response to confirm its validity or spot errors. Demanding interpretable AI turns opaque “black boxes” into accountable partners that enhance, rather than compromise, organizational defense. Read Now

  • Seeking Innovative Solutions

    Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. You may recognize these terms as the “5 Phases” of a grieving process, but they could easily describe the phases one goes through before adopting any new or emerging innovation or technology, especially in a highly risk-averse industry like security. However, the desire for convenience in all aspects of modern life is finally beginning to turn the tide from old school hardware as the go-to towards more user-friendly, yet still secure, door solutions. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities