LG vacuum cleaners are (thanks to hackers) better spies than Matahari herself
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:08 am
The camera hidden inside the LG HomBot vacuum cleaner is actually designed to allow users to see if it is doing its job properly and leaving the house spotless. Using an app connected to their mobile phone, users can remotely control the vacuum cleaner and have the opportunity to check in real time (and thanks to the camera inside) its cleaning skills.
However, despite the fact that the HomBot camera seems innocent at first glance, hackers from the security company Check Point have managed to turn this appliance into a clever spy capable of snooping around other people's homes.
Check Point experts have discovered a weakness in SmartThingQ (the software that enables remote control of LG appliances using smartphones) that potentially turns HomBot vacuum cleaners into powerful spying tools.
Check Point claims to have been able to gain access to one of these vacuum cleaners vietnam phone number using a false user profile. The security company's hackers then managed to gain access to LG's Cloud system and thus managed to gain access to other users' accounts. In this way, Check Point emphasises, it was possible to remotely control other customers' appliances.
The worst thing? Hackers can manipulate not only vacuum cleaners but also air conditioning systems, washing machines and refrigerators.
In a statement to Spiegel, an LG spokesperson confirmed the weakness identified by Check Point. “There was indeed a security hole, but we have now fixed the problem,” the spokesperson said. The problem should have been fixed with the latest software updates , which is why LG recommends installing them as soon as possible.
This is not the first time that household appliances have been caught in the crosshairs for their alleged spying abilities. Over the past year, many experts have warned of the potential security weaknesses of this type of gadget.
However, despite the fact that the HomBot camera seems innocent at first glance, hackers from the security company Check Point have managed to turn this appliance into a clever spy capable of snooping around other people's homes.
Check Point experts have discovered a weakness in SmartThingQ (the software that enables remote control of LG appliances using smartphones) that potentially turns HomBot vacuum cleaners into powerful spying tools.
Check Point claims to have been able to gain access to one of these vacuum cleaners vietnam phone number using a false user profile. The security company's hackers then managed to gain access to LG's Cloud system and thus managed to gain access to other users' accounts. In this way, Check Point emphasises, it was possible to remotely control other customers' appliances.
The worst thing? Hackers can manipulate not only vacuum cleaners but also air conditioning systems, washing machines and refrigerators.
In a statement to Spiegel, an LG spokesperson confirmed the weakness identified by Check Point. “There was indeed a security hole, but we have now fixed the problem,” the spokesperson said. The problem should have been fixed with the latest software updates , which is why LG recommends installing them as soon as possible.
This is not the first time that household appliances have been caught in the crosshairs for their alleged spying abilities. Over the past year, many experts have warned of the potential security weaknesses of this type of gadget.