Smart Coffee Machines Security Issue

Technological advancements have transformed nearly every sector of society including the business environment. As a result of these advancements, the most important transactions are usually carried out over the Internet. People carry out transactions over the Internet because of the increased connectedness and convenience associated with it. For instance, smart coffee machines have been developed and are used for many transactions. However, the increased connectedness that makes peoples lives become easier is also associated with some risks to personal data and other security issues. Hackers continue to devise multiple ways to steal personal data, which exposes people to numerous security risks when using electronic devices. This paper discusses the security vulnerabilities and threats associated with smart coffee machines, which can be used by hackers to steal personal data.

Problem Covered in the Article

Goud (2020) published an article that examines how smart coffee machines enable hackers to steal personal data such as ID and passwords. In this article, the author states that smart coffee machines are electronic devices connected to the Internet and used for transactions by homeowners. These machines can be remotely operated by homeowners using their smartphones or voice commands. These voice commands usually come with a virtual assistant like Amazon Alexa. Using voice commands, users of these machines can give the machines vocal commands.

While these machines are increasingly used by homeowners, they are vulnerable to security issues. They can be used by hackers to steal personal data such as peoples identities and passwords. As smart appliances, coffee machines are usually not secured, which implies that hackers can easily access them remotely and obtain personal data like banking details. Therefore, the nature of the problem covered in this article is security vulnerability. This vulnerability stems from the fact that smart coffee machines are usually not secured. According to Nimmo (2019), these machines are not designed for security and are extra vectors to get into an individuals home network. Consequently, there are vulnerable to security issues and threats, especially from hackers who want to steal personal information.

Brief History of the Issue

Smart coffee machines are examples of advances in the Internet of Things (IoT), which has become common in todays society. The Internet of Things is used to increased connectedness and provide convenience for everyday transactions and activities. Smart coffee machines are coffee markers that make coffee by the push of a few buttons. They can also make coffee when operated with an app on a smartphone or other electronic devices like a tablet. Similar to many IoT devices, these machines connect to the home network through their own Wi-Fi network, which is designed to be used to set up the machine (Hron, 2019). In most cases, consumers safeguard the Wi-Fi network with a password through many devices are sold without a password for Wi-Fi network protection.

The lack of a password for Wi-Fi network protection is a major vulnerability in these devices since the network is visible to anyone. Consequently, the network can be exploited by hackers to compromise the device through various measures such as uploading malicious software to it. Once the coffee machine is compromised, hackers can also access other...

This issue has become a major security problem in the past decade as IoT contributes to the proliferation of electronic devices used in various settings at home, work or school. The issue can affect unsuspecting consumers or homeowners who use these machines to make coffee without protecting the network with a password.

Discovery of the Issue

The security vulnerability of smart coffee machines has been...

…authentication, and anti-spyware packages are additional options available in the market that can be used to avoid the use of compromised technology, operating system or device.

Applicable Federal, State or Local Government Issues

Exploitation of IoT devices could have significant implications for individual users and companies. Individual users are increasingly vulnerable to losing their sensitive information to hackers, which could result in loss of money. Hackers can steal an individuals banking information or credit card details and use it to carry out multiple transactions that result in a financial loss for the individual. Organizations/companies can also suffer from losses brought by hacking in terms of their operations, reputation, and financial profitability. In some cases, companies or organizations could face lawsuits that generate substantial legal implications on their operations and profitability.

Such attacks usually target the IT industry because of the increased reliance and use of IoT devices at home, school or work. Given the potential implications of such attacks, federal, state, and local governments have enacted laws that seek to enhance cybersecurity in various settings. The exploitation of IoT devices by hackers violates existing cybersecurity laws established by federal, state, or local governments laws such as the Electronic Communications Protection Act (International Comparative Legal Guides, 2020). IoT device vendors and companies are required to enhance the security of their appliances and devices by governments as part of enhancing cybersecurity.

In conclusion, smart coffee machines are examples of IoT devices whose proliferation is attributable to rapid technological advances in the recent past. As evident in this analysis, these devices have intrinsic security vulnrabilities since they are not designed for security. Hackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to steal sensitive or confidential information like banking account details. Therefore, users should take necessary precautions to prevent exploitation and consider using available options in the market for enhanced smart home…