Explainer: Could hackers get inside my fridge?

FRANCE: Hackers who sabotaged refrigeration systems at hundreds of French supermarkets exploited the growing connectivity of equipment that was once largely mechanical.

From refrigerators and heating systems to security cameras and alarm networks, an expanding range of devices can now be monitored and controlled remotely, creating new opportunities for cybercriminals.

Can hackers really get into my fridge?

In theory, yes. If a device is connected to the internet, directly or through an app, cloud service or home network, it can potentially be hacked.

In 2015, researchers demonstrated at a hacking conference in Las Vegas how a Samsung smart refrigerator could be compromised, allowing them to intercept some of the internet traffic passing through the device.

In many cases, attackers are more interested in stealing data, disrupting services or using connected devices as a way into a larger network.

What household devices could be hacked?

The most common targets are devices connected to the internet and controlled remotely.

These include security cameras, video doorbells, alarm systems, smart locks, thermostats and central heating systems. Smart appliances such as refrigerators, ovens and washing machines can also be vulnerable if they are connected to the wider internet. Even some toothbrushes are now internet-connected.

Routers, rather than appliances, account for more than three-quarters of all attacks on connected devices, according to security industry data.

The number of such devices has grown rapidly as manufacturers have added internet connectivity to products that were once entirely mechanical.

What could a hacker actually do?

Once inside a device, a hacker can generally do one of two things: gather information or take control of the device.

[[nid:1555053]]

A camera can show the inside of a home, a device with a microphone can pick up sound, and a compromised router can expose everything that travels through the network.

Hackers who take control of a device can switch it on or off, change settings or lock users out of their accounts. A compromised thermostat could affect heating, while a hacked freezer or refrigerator could disrupt temperature controls.

In more serious cases, attackers may use poorly secured devices to gain access to other systems on the same network or steal personal information linked to online accounts.

Could hackers take over my car, electricity or water supply?

Cybersecurity researchers have repeatedly demonstrated vulnerabilities in connected vehicles.

In 2015, researchers remotely took control of a moving Jeep through its internet-connected entertainment system, prompting the recall of about 1.4 million vehicles and the deployment of software fixes.

Nearly a decade later, researchers disclosed a flaw that allowed them to track, unlock and start certain Kia vehicles using only a registration