The government is cautioning households about the increased threat of hackers during the post-Christmas period. With the addition of new ‘smart’ devices received as Christmas gifts, many UK homes now have a wide array of internet-connectable gadgets, including smart speakers, fitness trackers, security cameras, as well as modern appliances like fridges, thermostats, and even kettles, washing machines, and toys.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a division of GCHQ, has highlighted the risks associated with insecure devices, warning that they could potentially be exploited by criminals to gain unauthorized access to a household’s network or carry out cyber attacks. Recent studies have shown that connected homes face an average of 10 attacks every day, with security measures successfully blocking around 1,736 threats per minute.
In an effort to enhance cybersecurity, the government is urging households to take a few minutes to implement two-step verification on new device accounts or enable automatic updates. Cyber Security Minister Baroness Lloyd emphasized the importance of securing smart devices to safeguard families and ensure a worry-free holiday season. NCSC director for national resilience, Jonathon Ellison, echoed the sentiment, advising users to follow security protocols and activate two-step verification on critical accounts.
The UK government asserts its global leadership in protecting families from cyber threats, citing the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure regulations that mandate all smart devices sold in the UK to meet minimum security standards, such as prohibiting default or easily guessable passwords.
The festive security checklist includes ensuring that all devices are securely set up and updated to mitigate potential risks.