"Are Your Devices Spying on You? Australia's Very Small Step to Make the Internet of Things Safer"
The growing number and use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices increase users' vulnerability to attacks as these devices commonly contain security flaws. Hackers could abuse these vulnerabilities to perform malicious activities such as hijacking devices, stealing personal information, changing data, and spying on users. The Australian government is trying to reduce these risks by introducing a new code of practice to encourage IoT device manufacturers to improve the security of their devices. The code provides guidance that covers secure passwords, security patches, vulnerability reporting, the protection of consumers' personal data, and more. However, the code is voluntary. This article continues to discuss the insecurity of IoT devices, the contributing factors to poor IoT security, Australia's voluntary code of practice to make these devices more secure, other proposed IoT security guidelines, and the suggested co-regulatory approach.