Title:
🔒 WARNING: HACKERS CAN COMPROMISE POPULAR TOY ROBOTS – STAY SECURE!
Content:
CYBERSECURITY experts have warned about popular toy robots that can be compromised by hackers. Recently, the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky looked at the security of a popular toy robot model.
THE VULNERABILITY OF TOY ROBOTS
The toy bot that Kaspersky looked at is typically used for educational purposes. It is described as “a kind of hybrid between a smartphone and tablet and a smart speaker on wheels.” Featuring a large touchscreen with a control center, apps, and an animated cartoon-like face, it also includes a built-in microphone, a loudspeaker, and a wide-angle camera placed just above the screen. Due to these features and its connection to the internet, the bot can easily be hacked by threat actors.
THREATS POSED BY MALICIOUS ACTORS
Malicious actors can exploit the vulnerabilities of the toy robot by making a video call to the robot, hijacking the parental account, or even uploading modified firmware. According to Kaspersky, “malicious actors could make video calls to any robot of this kind.” Furthermore, these actors could retrieve personal information from the server, such as the IP address, country of residence, kid’s name, gender, age, and details of the parental account. The details obtained could lead to a complete parental account hijack, leaving the parents entirely locked out of the robot.
REMEDIATION EFFORTS BY KASPERSKY
Upon discovering these vulnerabilities, Kaspersky promptly notified the toy’s developer, and all identified security issues have been resolved. Despite the fixes, the risk remains prevalent among other smart devices. Therefore, it is advisable to take preventive measures to safeguard your devices and personal information.
HOW TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST HACKS
Kaspersky offered some essential tips on how to enhance your security:
- Thoroughly evaluate user feedback and reviews when purchasing any device, and if possible, review security reports.
- To prevent unauthorized access to your smart devices, turn them off when not in use, and physically cover the camera lens.
- Protect all your family members’ devices with a reliable security solution to ensure comprehensive defense against potential threats.