Nearly Half of Smart Homes in Russia Are Vulnerable to Cyberattacks
According to the 2019 Smart Home Security Report by Avast, 40.8% of smart homes worldwide have at least one device that is vulnerable to remote cyberattacks. In Russia, 44% of smart homes contain at least one such device, placing the country among the top four globally for this risk. India leads the list with 52.4%, followed by Singapore (47.3%), Brazil (44.9%), and Russia.
Main Causes of Vulnerability
- One-third of vulnerable devices are at risk due to outdated software with unpatched security flaws.
- More than two-thirds use weak or default login credentials, making them easy targets for hackers.
Most Common IoT Devices in Russia
Globally, computers and smartphones connected to home Wi-Fi routers are the most widespread Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Excluding these, the most popular IoT devices in Russian homes are:
- Smart TVs – 46.4% of all smart devices in Russia
- Printers – 15.4%
- Security Cameras – 11.2%
Most Vulnerable Devices
The report highlights the following IoT devices in Russia as the most vulnerable to cyberattacks:
- Printers – 45.0% are vulnerable
- Security Cameras – 22.9%
- Network Nodes – 17.4%
- Smart TVs – 6.1%
Routers: The Main Target for Cybercriminals
Routers are the most popular target for cybercriminals because they serve as the entry point to all devices in a smart home. The report states that 59.7% of routers either have security vulnerabilities or use weak credentials. Additionally, 59.1% of users worldwide have never logged into their routers or updated their firmware, leaving their networks exposed to potential attacks.