Warning issued to UK households over kitchen appliance that could be hacked
Cyber experts are warning that hackers could exploit weaknesses in technology, including smart toasters, to access home networks and take control of other devices
UK families have been issued a cybersecurity alert about the potential risks of smart toasters being exploited by hackers to infiltrate their home networks. According to specialists, various smart appliances, including fridges, toasters and thermostats, can be easily targeted for cyber assaults that may permit unauthorised control over other gadgets in the household.
This threat is particularly pertinent for older hardware devices which may not receive regular updates or are no longer under observation, with cybercriminals exploiting feeble security measures to slip into domestic networks undetected.
Cybersecurity expert Evgeny Goncharov from Kaspersky brought this issue to light, speaking with The Times: "When having access to one device, you have the ability to connect to the server and then communicate with your other devices, and sometimes take control over them. The problems are many."
Which?'s Andrew Laughlin highlighted the dangers of so-called 'zombie products' - outdated yet functional items that lack support - making them susceptible to breaches and compromises.
Recently, Google disclosed its decision to halt updates for its early Nest smart thermostats from 2011 and 2012 starting October this year, signalling to authorities that numerous smart gadgets pose a significant security risk as they become obsolete and lack protection against digital threats, reports the Express.
Alan Woodward, University of Surrey's professor of cyber security, commented on the issue saying: "In some ways it might not matter that you toaster doesn't get updated", signifying that even overlooked vulnerabilities in these supposedly insignificant devices could serve as gateways for hackers into the private sanctum of one's residence.
Last year, the National Cyber Security Centre sounded the alarm that a company with ties to the Chinese government had commandeered 260,000 devices globally, including webcams.
Recently, high-profile retailers fell victim to cyber attacks, including Marks and Spencer, which was initially targeted by cyber criminals just days before the Co-op and Harrods were compelled to disable some IT systems and limit internet access to ward off comparable assaults.
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Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
The megacity bigger than Scotland where 2,600,000 cameras are always watching
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'In reality the system is not monolithic and top down by central government, in reality there are hundreds of local projects. 'The cameras are only one part of the surveillance technology. There was a lot of investment used to set up all these surveillance cameras, but also a real name registration system, so every mobile SIM card is linked to your national ID. 'In China nowadays they don't really have any use for cash, they always use mobile payment wherever you go, you have a mobile on you, and if you got on the bus or take a train it can be monitored. 'The people living in different communities have different needs, so what you call dystopian in China it's considered a custom service, a local administration serves the local people. 'Over here in Edinburgh if you want to wait for a pothole to be fixed, possibly 10 years, but over there you could call up the local authority and straight away a drone is sent to inspect it and then they get things done. 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Chongqiang was a significant military industrial hub during the Mao era and World War II, but the leftovers from this legacy have been reuses. For example, former weapons plants have been converted into creative centres, cultural parks, and tech campuses. This has resulted in a '5D city' where different levels of infrastructure are interconnected even high up in the sky. Most transport including rivers, railways and the main roads remain on ground of lower levels. But those roads can consist of up to five levels stacked on top of each other: the Huangjuewan Interchange, for example, is a complicated five-layer intersection with 15 ramps. The city is also known as the 'bridge capital of China' as it is home to more than 40 significant bridges, including Chaotianmen Bridge – one of the longest arch bridges in the world. Mid levels feature residential neighbourhoods, public plazas and shops, while public facilities like schools are higher up. This means high-rise buildings can have multiple public entrances on different floors, depending on which side you enter from. The city also boasts 298 skyscrapers over 100 metres tall and 26 buildings exceeding 200 metres, ranking 15th worldwide for the number of skyscrapers and sixth in mainland China. To put that into context, there are currently just 12 towers in London that exceed 200m. The city is also home to The Crystal, a horizontal skyscraper which connects four skyscrapers high in the air. For the growing number of tourists, the 5D city is a fascinating phenomenon, but for residents – particularly the working class who live on the lower levels of Chongqing – it means that sunlight has become luxury. The megacity is also perpetually grey, enshrouded by a thick layer of fog for over 100 days of the year, forcing residents to live in the dark for at least a third of the year. But planners have attempted to break this up and reduce the monotony by creating rooftop public parks on top of skyscrapers. More Trending The city has been broken up into three distinct zones: the central city, satellite towns, and the rural belt. Chongqing's famous skyline and most of its economic activity takes place in the central core, but new development zones are being set up to move activity outside of the city centre. Outer districts and counties feature mountainous agricultural terrain alongside ecological preservation zones. A version of this article was originally published on May 1, 2025 Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Urgent recall of 1,700,000 air conditioners over fears they harbour mold MORE: Tourist smashes two Terracotta Army warriors during bizarre museum rampage MORE: British man arrested in the US is accused of spying for China
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Lord Sainsbury: Give Glasgow greater devolved powers
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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Hard-partying dropout overtakes Taylor Swift to become youngest self-made female billionaire…& she has an odd food habit
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