Express Computer
Home  »  IoT  »  Hackers using home smart devices for ‘swatting’ attacks: FBI

Hackers using home smart devices for ‘swatting’ attacks: FBI

0 275

In a warning to people who use smart home devices, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has said that offenders are hijacking victims’ smart devices, including video and audio capable home surveillance devices, to carry out “swatting” attacks.

“Swatting” is a term used to describe a hoax call made to emergency services, typically reporting an immediate threat to human life, to draw a response from law enforcement and the SWAT team to a specific location.

Confusion on the part of homeowners or responding officers has resulted in health-related or violent consequences and pulls limited resources away from valid emergencies, the FBI said in a statement on Tuesday.

The FBI said it is warning users of smart home devices with cameras and voice capabilities to use complex, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication to help protect against “swatting” attacks.

“Smart home device manufacturers recently notified law enforcement that offenders have been using stolen e-mail passwords to access smart devices with cameras and voice capabilities and carry out swatting attacks,” it elaborated.

“Swatting” may be motivated by revenge, used as a form of harassment, or used as a prank, but it is a serious crime that may have potentially deadly consequences.

Offenders often use spoofing technology to anonymise their own phone numbers to make it appear to first responders as if the emergency call is coming from the victim’s phone number.

“This enhances their credibility when communicating with dispatchers,” the FBI said.

To gain access to the smart devices, offenders are likely taking advantage of customers who re-use their email passwords for their smart device.

They use stolen email passwords to log into the smart device and hijack features, including the “live-stream camera and device speakers”.

They then call emergency services to report a crime at the victims’ residence.

As law enforcement responds to the residence, the offender watches the live stream footage and engages with the responding police through the camera and speakers.

“In some cases, the offender also live streams the incident on shared online community platforms”.

The FBI said it was working with private sector partners who manufacture smart devices to advise customers about the scheme and how to avoid being victimised.

–IANS

Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

LIVE Webinar

Digitize your HR practice with extensions to success factors

Join us for a virtual meeting on how organizations can use these extensions to not just provide a better experience to its’ employees, but also to significantly improve the efficiency of the HR processes
REGISTER NOW 

Stay updated with News, Trending Stories & Conferences with Express Computer
Follow us on Linkedin
India's Leading e-Governance Summit is here!!! Attend and Know more.
Register Now!
close-image
Attend Webinar & Enhance Your Organisation's Digital Experience.
Register Now
close-image
Enable A Truly Seamless & Secure Workplace.
Register Now
close-image
Attend Inida's Largest BFSI Technology Conclave!
Register Now
close-image
Know how to protect your company in digital era.
Register Now
close-image
Protect Your Critical Assets From Well-Organized Hackers
Register Now
close-image
Find Solutions to Maintain Productivity
Register Now
close-image
Live Webinar : Improve customer experience with Voice Bots
Register Now
close-image
Live Event: Technology Day- Kerala, E- Governance Champions Awards
Register Now
close-image
Virtual Conference : Learn to Automate complex Business Processes
Register Now
close-image