Internet of Things (IoT) is one of many IT buzzwords nowadays. Long story short, IoT is when a milk carton tells you it’s running low and it’s time to buy milk. Sounds insane, doesn’t it? Going further, the Internet of Things connects billions of sensors and devices such as everyday consumer objects and industrial equipment onto networks. Increasing amount of data produced by those sensors and connected devices are hence acquired, logged and stored. Networked inputs are then combined into bi-directional systems for better decision making, increasing efficiency, new services or environmental benefits. Just like the following video presents:
IoT is here, it’s real and inevitable. It’s just not very evenly distributed. However, it starts to be more visible in our everyday lives.
“The whole sensor field is going to exploding. It’s a little all over the place right now, but with the arc of time, it will become clearer I think”
Apple CEO, Tim Cook
Can you imagine that there is a fork that can connect to the Internet and communicate with your mobile? No? Meet HAPIfork:
The HAPIfork is an electronic fork that helps you monitor and track your eating habits. Has it ever crossed your mind that you eat too fast? Let’s check it with HAPIfork - it will gently vibrate when you eat unhealthily fast.
Or maybe you are a number cruncher and want to collect and analyze data regarding your daily oral hygiene routine? Beam Toothbrush is for you. Does your toothbrush have a mobile app? You can even share your tooth brushing statistics with your dentist. Or post them on your friend’s Facebook wall - don’t let them beat you in brushing!
I could go with such funny examples further, but in fact I came across some IoT implementation that interested me. For instance, there is a smart egg tray which syncs with your smartphone to tell you how many eggs you’ve got at home (up to 14 eggs) and when they’re going bad. I really thought I would like to test it. One of definitions says that IoT is an “intelligent interactivity between human and things to exchange information and knowledge for new value creation”. I always dreamt about exchanging knowledge with eggs I left in my refrigerator.
IoT home devices are supposed to be user friendly and idiot-proof. But mostly they are quite unstable. Recently I have read an article about an Englishman who spent eleven hours trying to make a cup of coffe/tea in a Wi-Fi kettle. In fact, he is quite a smart guy (works as a data specialist), yet he still couldn’t make all of his IoT devices cooperate. His story went viral, so you could have heard about it. If not, you can find more details here and there on the internet:
- English man spends 11 hours trying to make cup of tea with Wi-Fi kettle (The Guardian)
- The iKettle, the Eleven-Hour Struggle to Make a Cup of Tea, and Why It Was All About Data, Analytics and Connecting Things Together
In recent days I have another, more serious concerns regarding IoT, namely their security. Last weekend happened probably the biggest DDoS attack ever. Many highly popular services like Netflix, Spotify, Amazon and others were down due to a massive internet traffic directed to DNS servers. Probably you know that if your personal computer gets infected with a computer virus, it can be attached to the so-called botnet - a network of devices that can be controlled remotely by hackers. Such botnets can be used to conduct DDoS attacks. Note that IoT devices are small computers and there are billions of them. Latest DDoS attacks could have been carried out with a botnet comprised of IoT devices, like hacked home surveillance cameras. Can you imagine your fancy HAPIfork attacks the Netflix server while you’re eating porridge?
- What do you think about IoT in general?
- Do you use any IoT device? Can you imagine one which would be useful for you? Use your imagination :)
- What do you think about IT security in your daily life?
- Do you think that you can keep control of your IT security in terms of IoT?
Sources:
- https://software.intel.com/en-us/iot/home
- http://www.zdnet.com/article/serious-security-flaws-found-in-osram-smart-bulbs/
- https://krebsonsecurity.com/2016/10/hacked-cameras-dvrs-powered-todays-massive-internet-outage/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_of_things
- https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/oct/12/english-man-spends-11-hours-trying-to-make-cup-of-tea-with-wi-fi-kettle
- https://medium.com/mark-rittman/the-story-behind-the-ikettle-the-eleven-hour-struggle-to-make-a-cup-of-tea-and-why-it-was-all-769144d12d7#.90vncwh8n
- https://www.hapi.com/product/hapifork
I think that Internet of Things is a little overrated. What is the point of connection of shoes, mirrors or toaster to the Internet? Additionally it creates various threats. All the smart things are managed from our smartphone and taking control of our phones is not a problem for hackers, today. After the dissemination of the Internet of Things, they will have access not only to the compactness of the smartphone, but also to the all devices connected to it. Producers of smartphones would need to ensure a higher level of security than it is currently, because end-user of Internet of Things has little or simply no possibility to increase the level of their own security.
ReplyDeleteOk, I see your point Klaudia. However, I would say that IoT doesn't limit to necessities. Some time ago I red about new electricity meters that were tested in some areas of Poland. They could electronically communicate with a power plant to report their state. Don't you think that it can be more convenient than manual checking by an employee? It could be a competitive advantage of a company.
DeleteAnyway, is there any IoT device that you would like to use? Or are you totally against IoT?
I have just found an article about that smart meters describing the risk of a global blackout if they were hacked:
DeleteSmart Meters Can Be Hacked to Order a Power Blackout
There is a short video that unfortunately cannot be embedded in blogspot comment :( But here's the link to Vimeo: Hacking Smart Meters
Generally, I read daily tech news - generally it is a short PR notes from technical manufacturer. For a few years I observe the most popular topic - Internet of Things. Companies every month launch new products: smart bands, smart fridges, smart car, smart whatever. I think that this technology branch are too young. This devices is only gadget for me. Yet. I hope that this devices will become more productive and
ReplyDeletenecessary for me.
I have two smartwatches and bathroom scale. I can monitor my life. I love any charts: my weight, calories, anything. I used this devices for few weeks. Battery is a black side IoT. I forgot about my devices.
IoT is excellent technology spend all money. It is horrible.
Smart dog in the park. I need device for my dog. This device was to walk with my pupil in the rain. I love it.
I think that usage of IoT device is safe (encryption is everywhere), but battery... in example: how open my smart door in smart home by smart key without battery? Do not worry. You can buy smart backpack with mini smart power station.
I think that inteligent devices are safe with offline biometric data (fingerprint, eye scan etc).
Thanks Kamil for sharing your thoughts. I also think that it would be strange if every single device was suppose to be smart ;) Maybe people want to control everything and think devices will help them in this?
DeleteI am not sure if encryption solves all security concerns... A system is as secure as it's weakest link. If hundreds of loosely coupled devices are connected in a network then it's very likely there is a poorly secured node which sooner or later will be hacked.
IOT is very interesting things. It's devices whitch make our life easier.
ReplyDeleteNo i haven't any iot devices.
IT security is very important. Devices such us IOT or other often can give us a lot of dangerous. For example if this devices will saved on server our location in time or in whitch time we will go out with home and when come back. It can be easlier work for robbery's.
Security is the best idea. For example cameras IP it's good things, so that we can monitor what is happening at home, even though we are many kilometers away.
Thanks for your comment Adam. Regarding the exemplary security threat you mentioned I think many people already share such information event without any special IoT device. They post pictures of their meals on Instagram when they're in restaurant...
DeleteCCTV cameras might be good for checking your home when you go out - that's true. On the other hand, if someone hacked those cameras, you could end up being a star of secret reality show!
I believe that the computerization of everyday life is very good and helps people with problems and daily activities. We, however, we should remember that IOT has not led to a situation where the machines will be for us to make decisions for our daily activities. This problem can be passed to protect our privacy, because we have to remember that the process of computerization collect various data about us. We often do not realize what is going on with our personal data on the Internet.
ReplyDeleteSylwia, you wrote devices can help people. And how about you? Do you use any IoT device? Does any device help you with your daily activities? If not, can you think of an activity that you would need help with?
DeleteI know that the biomechanical and IOT is inevitable for us and the idea of improving disabled or ill people is such incredible helpful and I support this so the whole heart but we can't forget about our humanity.
ReplyDeleteAt first I haven't any special smart devices and I think for me is
unnecessary. Also I don't want that somebody stranger know which I eat or use my toothbrush.
What does it happen when electricity or smart devices it will be down and every technologies stop working? It will be a huge issue with existing from basics.
I agree with Sylwia about uncontrolled collect data about us, now we are watching by thousands street cameras, recording by mobile networks or track by website engine.
When this information will flow to inadequate institutions we can't do anything. We can only keep our privacy to safe.
It is true that nowadays it's hard to use technology and maintain privacy. On the one hand we are making our daily life more convenient, but on the other hand we share so much information about our lives. This is a general problem - how much is too much. Governments collect a lot of information as well claiming they need them to protect citizens. But who knows how these information will be used in the future?
Delete1. Personally I have mixed feelings about IoT. In many cases it’s natural development of technology and human needs, but equally frequently it’s in the form of totally unnecessary gadget. Toothbrush analyzing if I can clean my teeth properly? Case sending to my phne information about how many eggs I have in a fridge? Come on, have you ever waken up and thought ‘Hm. I need this!’. I don’t think so. Funny, interesting, it’s a gadget, but not very practical one ;)
ReplyDelete2. I use Xiaomi Mi Band – thing on my wrist which tells me how many steps I walked each day, how many hours I slept or what was my pulse during training. Smartphone app aggregates all data and I can browse whole history and analyze it. I find it pretty cool to track my activities, combine it with my weight evolution etc. Good device for its price – around 20$.
3. We’re not safe. Our data is not safe. And it doesn’t really matter if we store it locally on a hard drive or in the cloud. The weakest point in every security system is human. Technology has developed significantly over last years while our knowledge about security is still poor. Therefore IoT is another potential source of unwanted leak of the data…
4. No. We’re surrounded by multiple devices, platforms, services gathering information about us, what we do, what are our habits etc. Many times we can’t even imagine how this information is further processed. It’s impossible to have all of this under control. IoT is bringing additional complexity to the world which is already complex enough :P
Well... in fact, it happen several times when I regretted that I couldn't check how many eggs left in my fride ;) I didn't want to buy too much but I had not checked eggs before going for shopping.
DeleteXiaomi Mi Band sound like a useful device for a good price. I used my smart phone to track my sport activities, but will check the band out - thanks!
1. What do you think about IoT in general?
ReplyDeleteGenerally it can be really useful for a daily life. IoT has got possibilities to relieve us a bit and help in some of our easy but boring operations.
2. Do you use any IoT device? Can you imagine one which would be useful for you? Use your imagination :)
As someone above currently I'm using only MiBand (and not everyday. Just from time to time). But some IoT devices like vacuum cleaner, washer or fridge will be awesome.
3. What do you think about IT security in your daily life?
It's important. We store many personal informations on our computers or phones. And year by year the amount of data grows up. Exactly as like as a danger of losing it etc.
4. Do you think that you can keep control of your IT security in terms of IoT?
No. Every software and hardware have some bugs etc. So, we will have more reasons to be cautious. More chances to lose our data or to become victims of hackers more or less funny pranks.
Very interesting article. IoT remined me about one thing that I saw last time on Amazno. It is the Dash Button which is connected to your amazon account and let you order products which are run out just by one click. Please watch this movie to find out more https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHMXXOB6qPA
ReplyDelete1. What do you think about IoT in general?
In general I like the topic of IoT. These devices connected to Internet can analyse you daily habits and can make your life easier. My phone serves me as a device to analyse my sleep. I use Sleep Cycle app to gather information about my sleep, this app after gathering relevant information from the whole night, helps me in waking up. The application based on the corresponding phase of sleep, knows when is the right moment to wake you up.
3. What do you think about IT security in your daily life?
I think that security in IT in our daily life is endangered. We often hear about new attacks on popular web sites or about stealing data from big databases. It is hard to protects from such attacks. I think that observing primary security principles can secure us very much before stealing our personal data. If you are using very easy passwords and when people are using the same easy password to many accounts, there is nothing to be surprised that our personal data have been stolen.
4. Do you think that you can keep control of your IT security in terms of IoT?
I think that the more devices are connected to the Internet the more we are exposure to the hacker attacks.
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ReplyDelete'Internet of Things' is an interesting topic. It's hard to say what I think about it, because it is cool and also it is little bit dangerous. It is difficult to predict what organizations can do with such data. When using a phone with enabled GPS data, our phone will be able to tell us where and at what time we should go.
ReplyDeleteI' ve made one IoT device, build on Arduino. It is kind of monitoring for trutles terrarium. It tells me about the humidity, temperature. Controls the heating lamps depending on the temperature. It helps me maintain a stable enviroment for the turtles.
It seems to me that it could be at a higher level. Particularly in new cars that are not a problem for hackers
if you want to maintain the security of your data is better not to use objects using IoT ;)
That is interesting! You made your own smart device that you needed :) Does it connect to the Internet? Had you tried to find similar device before you built it?
Delete• What do you think about IoT in general?
ReplyDeleteI think that it is very intersting matter which can offer a lot to people. It will be very nice to present technology which for example allows people by using simple phones to have control of their homes (so called "smart home"), closing gates, doors, windows, turning on the dishawasker or watering the garden.
• Do you use any IoT device? Can you imagine one which would be useful for you? Use your imagination ��
I think that the smart home is a good example. It would be a very nice thing to do most of home sfaff by using Internet on my phone.
• What do you think about IT security in your daily life?
This is a very important element. New technology brings also possiblities to commit crimes i.e. cyber crimes. Internet security should be updated very often.
• Do you think that you can keep control of your IT security in terms of IoT?
Unfortunately, there will be always be a gap in the system, which can lead to unpleasant situations.
1. What do you think about IoT in general?
ReplyDeleteI think it’s not for me, I guess its only going to be more popular but Its kind of scary how much data those companies will gather using IoT, sure it can be useful for you but is it really worth it? Also things like remembering to restock your fridge shouldn’t require app or another device.
2. Do you use any IoT device? Can you imagine one which would be useful for you? Use your imagination :)
Hm…I guess the one that has something to do with cleaning cat litter box maybe, cause I really hate doing that :D
3. What do you think about IT security in your daily life?
I am not paranoid about my IT security, I kind of have standard security. I do not have knowlage and I do not care enough, after all if someone would go beyond that to hack me, he would also probably get past some higher security solutions.
4. Do you think that you can keep control of your IT security in terms of IoT?
I am not sure about that one, I am 100% positive most of those IoT products have info or access to your data – data stored on said IoT device. So its kind of sure I can keep control of it on my end, but can the provider keep control on his end?
I agree that it is hard to balance pro an cons of IoT - I mentioned it in one of my previous comments. And it is true that people are lazy and in some cases we should be more disciplined and not just looking for a device that will do it for us.
DeleteFirst of all thanks for this subject! It's one of my favourite!
ReplyDelete1. What do you think about IoT in general?
I think IOT is something wonderful. This type of devices bring to us so many possibilities
to improve our lives. Ofcourse the creators can build very useful devices or useless and stupid :P
2. Do you use any IoT device? Can you imagine one which would be useful for you? Use your imagination :)
Yes! I use everyday. I fell in love with IOT devices like smart mailbox which informs me when I've got
a new mail or a nice bracelet which measure my blood sugar level or any others. I'm also a creator of
IOT devices which collect data for further analysis in cloud ;)
3. What do you think about IT security in your daily life?
Like Aleksander I'm not paranoid about this subject. Ofcourse everythin secured can be hacked but we have to
consider that if we are so important to be a target of the attack.
4. Do you think that you can keep control of your IT security in terms of IoT?
I think it depend of what kind of device we are talking about. In most cases I think they are safe, even
when data is non encrypted. Why? For example when our smart bracelet collecting data of our blood sugar level
or smart fork sending data of fact we're eating to fast.. This kind of data like most of data from IOT devices
are potential useless for hacker. Even if he can understand this data.
I'd rather prefer a standard PLC based inteligent grid of my household equipment than wondering which app should i use to turn on my kettle or flush the toilet.
ReplyDeleteBeside the possibility to locate my smartphone - I do not. Actually it would be nice to be able to find my lost keychain in such way.
I use a set of antivirus and firewall both on my laptop and smartphone. I'm also aware of what websides to visit, and which I should rather avoid. I don't take the risk.
It's actually a great concern. A person with lack of proper knowledge would be doomed to be a part of one of mentioned botnets. Even a therat aware one can't do much beside keeping it's "things" firmware up to date.
1.What do you think about IoT in general?
ReplyDeleteI believe that someday we could make IoT useful and make it serve higher needs. I don't believe that anyone really need to make a chart of how many coffee cups he drink a day. Now it is still a gadget but when majority of population start to use IoT then it could become useful source of data that improve people lives. Smartband on the wrist can improve one's lifestyle but milions of smartbands connected could be a source of data to improve quality of lives in general. It could help understand people habits and make them to live more healthy lifestyle.
2.Do you use any IoT device? Can you imagine one which would be useful for you? Use your imagination :)
We have a smart door lock in our office. We used it for a while but it is not convinient. Imagine that once per 100 you are not able to lock or unlock main door to the office. It happens and it is frustrating enough to switch back to physical key. I'm not convinced to use IoT devices for everyday use. There are two thing that I think I would use everyday if they could be available and affordable. First is a chip that could track my health but I need it to make it seemlessly and with no need of recharging batteries more often than once a month. I could be great if I could gather data about my health to know what is good for and what is not, or when I need to visit a doctor. Second idea I believe could be helpful is a lightbulb that shifts its color temperature in the evening to make me sleep better.
3.What do you think about IT security in your daily life?
I think there are still too many security flaws and it scares me. I heard about last DDoS using IoT and I realised how big the problem is. I would never trust a device that I know could be hacked easily or shares my personal data without my knowledge.
4.Do you think that you can keep control of your IT security in terms of IoT?
I believe that in really near future we could get back control of our privacy and IT security. Now I think total control of a flow of personal information and metadata is nearly impossible. IT security have it's flaws in general but now in the early era of IoT it becomes more and more unsecure.
I'm fascinated with all the latest technology and IoT is one of the hottest trends at the moment. I can see enormous potential in 'smart' wearables, home appliances, cars, houses, the list goes on. I believe it will make our lives considerably easier. I use a smartband to track my physical activity and heart rate, but I'm thinking about getting a smartwatch to have more functionality on my wrist. There are concerns about the security of the data collected by smart devices, but for now I feel safe with mine. I believe it is too early to be overly anxious about it as individuals, but surely the pace of growth in this field necessitates government regulations to reduce the risks of data being used for malicious purposes.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think about IoT in general?
ReplyDeleteDo you use any IoT device? Can you imagine one which would be useful for you? Use your imagination :)
What do you think about IT security in your daily life?
Do you think that you can keep control of your IT security in terms of IoT?
I think it's very important piece of whole industry. This is next logical step in growth. All new technologies have good and bad parts. We can't tell that everything is bad or good. There will be few areas in which we, as consumets should care. I like the idea. We will have a lot of opportunities to monitor and analize our behaviors. We can change our daily habits and be more efficient in work and area that we need to be better and better. Security is always the problem. This technology will open next scarious for hackers. This can be huge problem. Some friend can use hacked hardware and 'they' can take advantage of many usefull informations. IoT will change world in next few years, we can't ensure that every software will be fine but some peoples just don't care about it. Some people can just post on facebook image of they credit card number. They just don't have knowledge and they will do it all the time.
I use internet things- Adobe creative cloud, which is big and the best tools for designers and spotify for music.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure that no one before invented this app or device, but I really need something like reminder, where I lost my keys.
I think that, IT security is one of the main topic in this world. In every service or cloud, where we to record- we need to need to write our personal data, and even data associated with our account or credit card. These facts should remind us, that we must always careful, whether the website is well authenticated.
I think that we are able to keep to keep our safety in the Internet-objects, if we if we are to register on the official website and carefully read the regulations.
I use a set of antivirus and firewall both on my laptop and smartphone. I'm also aware of what websides to visit, and which I should rather avoid. I don't take the risk.
ReplyDeletevisit my blog