**What’s the Point of an Internet of Things Botnet?**
[Google News](https://news.google.com/articles/CBMiNWh0dHA6Ly93d3cuODEuY24vemdoankvMjAxNS0wOC8yNS9jb250ZW50XzY2NDczNjMuaHRt0gEA?hl=zh-CN&gl=CN&ceid=CN%3Azh-Hans) – August 25, 2015
It’s been nearly a year since a botnet composed of hacked IP cameras and DVRs launched a massive denial of service attack against internet infrastructure provider Spamhaus. Though Spamhaus recovered, the attack led many to worry that the u201cInternet of Thingsu201d—the growing network of web-connected devices from smart TVs to self-driving cars—could become a major new target for cybercriminals. Now, a group of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley and the International Computer Science Institute have demonstrated a new type of botnet that targets not traditional computers but the small, resource-constrained devices that make up the Internet of Things.
The researchers call their creation the u201cMiraiu201d botnet. Mirai can infect a wide range of IoT devices, including IP cameras, DVRs, routers, and printers. Once infected, these devices can be used to launch DDoS attacks, send spam, or even mine cryptocurrency. Mirai is the first known botnet to target IoT devices on a large scale. However, it is unlikely to be the last.
As the number of IoT devices grows, so too will the risk of attacks like Mirai. This is because IoT devices are often poorly secured. Many have default passwords that are easy to guess, and they often lack basic security features like encryption. This makes them easy targets for attackers. Meanwhile, the growing number of IoT devices is creating a vast pool of potential targets for botnets. Mirai was able to infect hundreds of thousands of devices in just a few days. As more IoT devices are deployed, botnets will be able to grow even larger and launch even more powerful attacks.
The Mirai botnet is a serious threat to the Internet of Things. It is a reminder that IoT devices are not immune to cyberattacks. As the number of IoT devices grows, so too will the risk of attacks like Mirai. It is important for manufacturers to improve the security of their IoT devices and for users to take steps to protect their devices from attack.
**How to Protect Your IoT Devices from Attack**
There are a number of things you can do to protect your IoT devices from attack:
* **Change the default password.** Many IoT devices come with default passwords that are easy to guess. Change the password to something strong and unique.
* **Enable encryption.** If your IoT device supports encryption, enable it. This will help protect your data from eavesdropping.
* **Keep your software up to date.** Manufacturers release software updates to patch security holes. Keep your IoT devices up to date with the latest software.
* **Be careful about what you connect to your network.** Only connect IoT devices to your network that you trust. Avoid connecting unknown devices or devices from untrustworthy manufacturers.
* **Use a firewall.** A firewall can help block unauthorized access to your network and your IoT devices.
By following these steps, you can help protect your IoT devices from attack and keep your data safe..
