{"id":91361,"date":"2018-09-04T11:50:19","date_gmt":"2018-09-04T18:50:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/securingtomorrow.mcafee.com\/?p=91361"},"modified":"2025-08-19T08:33:41","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T15:33:41","slug":"top-trending-iot-malware-attacks-of-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/mobile-security\/top-trending-iot-malware-attacks-of-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Trending: IoT Malware Attacks of 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since January 1st<\/sup> of 2018, a barrage of cyberattacks and data breaches have hit almost every industry, targeting businesses large and small, many of which are now from IoT devices. By 2025, it is estimated that there will be approximately 75 billion connected devices<\/a> around the world. With more IoT devices \u00ad\u2013from wearables and pacemakers to thermometers and smart plugs\u2013on the market and in the home, cybercriminals are keen to leverage them in attacks. This heightened interest is due to the vulnerabilities in many IoT devices<\/a>, not to mention their ability to connect to each other, which can form an IoT botnet.<\/p>\n

In a botnet scenario, a network of internet-connected devices is infected with malware and controlled without the users\u2019 knowledge, in order to launch ransomware and DDoS attacks (distributed denial-of-service). Once unleashed, the consequences of botnet attacks can be devastating. This possible reality sounds like the plot of a science fiction movie, one which we hypothesized in our 2018 Threats Prediction Report<\/a>. As we head into this year\u2019s final months, we take a look at how this year\u2019s threats compared to our predictions for you, the consumer.<\/p>\n

At the end of 2017, we predicted that the convenience and ease of a connected home could lead to a decrease in privacy<\/a>. Our devices already transmit significant data, with or without the knowledge of the consumer, back to the corporations the devices are made. This unprecedented access to consumer data is what is driving cybercriminals to become more familiar with IoT botnet attacks. Just in 2018 alone, we\u2019ve seen smart TVs, virtual assistants<\/a>, and even smart plugs<\/a> display detrimental security flaws that could be exploited by bad actors. Some IoT devices were used to facilitate botnet attacks, like an IoT thermometer<\/a> and home Wi-Fi routers<\/a>. In 2017, these security concerns were simply predictions- but now they are very<\/em> much a reality. And while the window to get ahead of these attacks is closing, consumers need to be prepared in case your IoT devices go haywire.<\/p>\n

Tips to Protect Your Family From Threats<\/h2>\n

Be the difference in your home when it comes to security and IoT devices. Protect both you and your family from these threats with these tips:<\/p>\n