🦾 New term to know: Internet of Bodies. Like the Internet of Things (IoT), the IoB is an ecosystem of devices humans rely on to function (even partially), including internet access, AI and other tech. Smartwatches and the like are in the first category, followed by internal devices like smart prosthetics. The third IoB generation? Devices that completely merge with the body, like Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain chips. I swear, sci-fi movies are coming to life.
U.S. Cyber Trust Mark 101: All about the latest legislation for tech products
Finally, some legislation around tech products! The White House announced its latest labeling and cybersecurity safety program: The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark.
It’s one wild world out there. Many people don’t realize the high-tech products in their homes could open them to a massive hack attack. This new program aims to help consumers identify safe Internet of Things (IoT) devices for purchase.
Here’s what you need to know about the new legislation and why it matters.
Somebody’s watchin’ me
IoT devices are everywhere today. Many families have multiple gadgets, from smart refrigerators to state-of-the-art baby monitors. The problem is that some devices have weak security systems, which puts your whole household at risk.
Take baby monitors, for example. One terrified mom discovered her Owlet baby monitors were hacked by strangers, and they did way more than watch her son. They started talking to him, too. Hackers often infiltrate household cameras either through Wi-Fi or from leaked credentials online.
The IoT device industry is booming, and with that boom comes increased cybersecurity risk. The government is finally stepping in to help consumers choose safe products for the home and workplace.
We’ve got (cyber) trust issues
The U.S. Cyber Trust Mark program will be overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Through the program, a special mark will be placed on items proven to “adhere to best practices that make them less vulnerable to hackers and cybersecurity threats.”
It’s like the Energy Star program on many of today’s appliances. Instead of rating energy efficiency, the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark would rate an IoT device’s level of cybersecurity.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is also defining cybersecurity requirements for household routers, which are super-high-risk products. When a router is compromised, hackers can listen to private conversations, steal passwords and attack all linked devices.
There will also be a QR code and an identifiable mark on an approved product. You can scan the QR code to get more details about a device’s security, including information about security updates or patches.
Tidy your tech: Best cable organization and cord management options
Everyone seems to own laptops, smartphones, desktop computers, Internet of Things devices and so much more. It’s great to be connected, but what isn’t great is all those tangled cords.
Thankfully, there are tons of organizing tools to choose from. Whether you want to hide those cables swinging from your TV or move the wires out of your way on your computer desk, we’ve got the right organizers for you.
30-second Amazon privacy fix you need to do right now
Amazon has a way of creeping into our lives and making things incredibly easy. With convenience, there are often trade-offs. Many people are unaware that they have a public profile on Amazon.
Your public profile is created automatically, whether you want it or not, and it contains your comments and any ratings that you have left on products purchased on Amazon. Your biographical information and other site interactions are also posted to your profile.
Millions of smart devices are vulnerable to hackers! 6 ways to protect yourself
When you think about the risks of hacking, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Is it that your computer could be taken over by some unnamed cybercriminals?
Actually, anything connected to a network is also at risk of being hacked, including the fitness tracker on your wrist and your smart home devices. Tap or click here to find out which internet-of-things devices are at high risk of cyberattacks.
How coffee makers and teddy bears could be putting your network at risk
When is the last time you bought a gadget that wasn’t internet connected? These days, it seems like almost every device is “smart,” which means the so-called internet of things (IoT) is growing massively.
But despite our best efforts, we might not be ready for all of our household items and gadgets to go online. Tap or click here to see how billions of IoT devices are vulnerable to this one simple security flaw.
Buying or selling a smart home? Read this first
Even with a sluggish housing market, there are buyers and sellers. Are you one of them?
As more and more people welcome smart technology or IoT (Internet of Things) devices such as lighting, appliances, and security systems into their homes, it’s most likely the house you’re selling or buying is considered a smart home. Tap or click to discover what you should buy first when making your home smart.
Patch your tech now: Printers, routers and more at risk
More devices are connected to the internet these days than ever before — and that’s not always a good thing. The so-called “internet of things” (IoT) makes it easy to control our devices remotely with our phones and by voice and integrates web services into ordinary appliances. Unfortunately, this makes it much easier for hackers to break in and wreak havoc.
Your home network can be hacked through a smart lightbulb - unless you do this
If you haven’t turned your house into a smart home, you’re really missing out. Just the sheer convenience that comes with Internet of Things (IoT) devices is worth the investment.
You’ll love being able to control everything from your lights to your thermostat to appliances with just the sound of your voice or the tap of an app. Don’t know where to begin? We can help. Check out our smart home starter kit. Tap or click here to find out what to do first.
8 things to do now in case Iran attacks the US
Think about how much of your life is spent online. From the moment you wake in the morning to the time you finally go to sleep, you’re constantly checking emails, messaging friends and family, checking bank accounts and so much more — and all of that can be done with your smartphone.
If you have this TV, it has 3 critical bugs so update the firmware now
If you own one of these smart televisions, you need to know about these three critical flaws that have recently surfaced that might allow hackers to get into your network and wreak havoc.