In today’s connected world, the convenience of smart devices comes with a hidden cost: IoT vulnerabilities.

These weaknesses make everyday tools, from your smart thermostat to industrial control systems, prime targets for cyberattacks.

With billions of devices now online, the scale and scope of these threats are growing fast.

If you’re using smart devices at home or in business, understanding the top IoT vulnerabilities is your first step toward protection. Let’s get started!

What Are IoT Vulnerabilities?

IoT vulnerabilities refer to security weaknesses or flaws found in Internet of Things devices and their ecosystems. These can include default passwords, outdated firmware, open ports, unencrypted data, and poor access controls.

Since many IoT devices are designed for convenience and cost efficiency rather than security, they are often shipped with minimal protection.

Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access, steal data, disrupt services, or even take complete control of a device.

Whether it’s a bright light bulb or a critical medical sensor, any IoT device with a vulnerability can serve as a gateway to a larger network compromise.

What are the top IoT vulnerabilities?

Weak or Default Credentials Remain a Leading IoT Vulnerability

Many Internet of Things (IoT) devices still come with weak or default login credentials. Common usernames, such as “admin,” paired with passwords like “1234” or “password,” are rarely changed by users.

These credentials are easily guessable and frequently exploited through automated brute-force attacks.

One of the most infamous attacks that exploited this vulnerability was the Mirai Botnet.

It scanned the internet for IoT devices with default credentials and infected them, creating a botnet that launched massive DDoS attacks, bringing down major websites and services.

This type of IoT vulnerability remains a significant threat, particularly since many consumers are unaware that their devices can be easily compromised.

Unpatched Firmware Creates Persistent IoT Vulnerabilities

Firmware is the operating system of an IoT device. Like any software, it contains bugs and security flaws that need regular updates. Unfortunately, IoT vendors often cease releasing patches after a few years or fail to provide updates at all. This leaves known vulnerabilities wide open for exploitation.

A prime example is Ripple20, a set of 19 zero-day vulnerabilities discovered in the Treck TCP/IP stack used by countless IoT devices. These vulnerabilities impacted everything from printers to medical equipment and industrial control systems.

Devices still using unpatched firmware remain vulnerable to remote code execution and data breaches, highlighting how neglected firmware updates are one of the most significant and dangerous vulnerabilities in the IoT landscape.

Insecure Network Services Open Doors for Attackers

Another overlooked IoT vulnerability lies in the network services that devices expose. Services like Telnet, FTP, or basic HTTP are often enabled by default and run without encryption. This allows attackers to intercept data or inject commands if they gain access to the network.

In 2025, the Eleven11Bot botnet leveraged insecure Telnet ports and default credentials to compromise over 80,000 connected devices worldwide.

The attack used infected webcams and smart recorders to launch DDoS attacks and even attempted internal network scans. These insecure services continue to be a significant entry point into private networks.

Supply Chain Exploits Are an Invisible IoT Vulnerability

IoT manufacturers often rely on third-party software libraries and components. If a vulnerability exists in one of these shared elements, it becomes a supply chain vulnerability.

These are among the most difficult to detect and fix because the flaw doesn’t originate directly from the device manufacturer.

Ripple20 is again a strong example. It affected dozens of manufacturers that unknowingly included the vulnerable Treck stack in their firmware.

This created a cascading effect, exposing millions of devices to the same security risks. Such widespread dependencies make supply chain flaws a growing part of the IoT vulnerabilities landscape.

Sensors Can Be Turned Against You

IoT devices often include sensors like microphones, cameras, and accelerometers. These components gather sensitive data and are sometimes always active.

When left unsecured, they can be hijacked by attackers to spy on users or collect confidential information.

Security researchers have demonstrated that it’s possible to trigger smartphone assistants or record private conversations by remotely manipulating smart home devices.

In many cases, the users are completely unaware that their devices are listening or capturing footage without consent. These types of IoT vulnerabilities present serious privacy and surveillance risks.

Botnet Hijacking Is Still One of the Biggest IoT Threats

Botnets built from compromised IoT devices continue to plague the internet. These botnets are formed by infecting thousands, or even millions, of vulnerable devices and using them to carry out attacks like DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service), spam campaigns, or cryptocurrency mining.

IoT vulnerabilities, such as open ports, default credentials, and unpatched firmware, make it easy for attackers to compromise these networks.

The Mirai Botnet was only the beginning. Since then, variants like Mozi and Eleven11Bot have demonstrated that IoT-powered botnets are evolving and continue to pose a constant threat to public and private systems.

Data Privacy Risks from IoT Vulnerabilities

Every IoT device collects data about your behavior, environment, habits, or health. When data is stored or transmitted insecurely, it becomes a target for attackers.

Insecure APIs, lack of encryption, and poor authentication mechanisms can all lead to significant data breaches.

Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) shows that a growing percentage of data breaches now involve IoT endpoints.

Whether it’s a smart refrigerator logging your grocery habits or a connected health monitor transmitting personal data, these breaches are often enabled by IoT vulnerabilities that go unnoticed until it’s too late.

Why Do IoT Vulnerabilities Persist?

There are several reasons why these security gaps continue to exist:

• Lack of regulation: Most countries don’t have strict cybersecurity standards for IoT manufacturers.
• Cost-cutting by vendors: Some manufacturers skip secure development practices to reduce costs.
• Poor user awareness: Many consumers are unaware of how to secure their devices.
• Complex environments: Businesses often utilize thousands of IoT devices, making management and updates challenging.

These factors ensure that IoT vulnerabilities are unlikely to disappear anytime soon, and they’ll only grow unless proactive steps are taken.

Signs Your IoT Devices May Be Compromised

It’s not always obvious when an IoT device is hacked, but here are common red flags:

• The device is slow or unresponsive
• You can’t log in with known credentials
• High internet usage for no apparent reason
• Lights flashing or functions activating on their own
• Strange traffic in your network logs

Monitoring your network and utilizing a firewall or intrusion detection system can help identify and mitigate hidden IoT vulnerabilities before they cause significant damage.

How to Reduce IoT Vulnerabilities Right Now

Here are simple but powerful ways to reduce your exposure:

1. Change default usernames and passwords on every IoT device.
2. Keep firmware updated. Check the manufacturer’s website monthly.
3. Disable unnecessary features, such as Telnet, FTP, or port forwarding.
4. Segment your devices by putting them on a separate guest network.
5. Use encryption whenever possible and avoid using devices that lack HTTPS or secure API support.
6. Audit your devices regularly. Remove anything outdated or unused.

These steps don’t require advanced technical skills. They’re basic practices that make it much harder for attackers to exploit IoT vulnerabilities in your environment.

Real-World Impact of Ignoring IoT Vulnerabilities

To understand the scale of the problem, let’s consider these statistics:

Incident	Devices Affected	Type of Vulnerability	Impact
Mirai Botnet	600,000+	Default Credentials	DDoS attacks on DNS providers
Ripple20	Millions	TCP/IP Stack Supply Chain	Remote code execution, data exfiltration
Eleven11Bot (2025)	80,000+	Open Telnet/SSH Ports	Botnet formation and lateral attacks
Smart TV Breach	Thousands	Insecure API/Network Logs	Audio/visual data leaked

Staying Ahead of IoT Security Threats

Protecting against IoT vulnerabilities doesn’t require turning your home into Fort Knox. It just requires being aware and proactive. Start by:

• Choosing reputable brands that provide regular security updates
• Reading device manuals to understand what services are active by default
• Using tools like firewalls or VPNs to control device traffic
• Consulting official security resources

For business environments, adopting frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework or guidance from the OWASP IoT Top 10 can significantly reduce risk.

Here is an informative video with insightful tips on securing your IoT devices.

Final Thoughts

IoT vulnerabilities are not going away. They’re embedded in the design, deployment, and maintenance of millions of connected devices.

But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. From updating firmware and using strong passwords to disabling unused features and separating device networks, you can effectively defend against the most common threats currently.

Whether you’re protecting your home, office, or industrial site, the time to secure your IoT environment is today. The cost of inaction could be your data, your privacy, or even your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are IoT vulnerabilities?

IoT vulnerabilities are security flaws in connected devices, such as cameras, sensors, and smart appliances. These weaknesses can be exploited to access data, hijack devices, or launch attacks.

2. How do hackers exploit IoT vulnerabilities?

Hackers use default passwords, unpatched firmware, and open ports to gain control of devices. Once compromised, these devices can be used for spying, data theft, or DDoS attacks.

3. Which devices are most vulnerable to attack?

Devices with weak security settings—like IP cameras, smart TVs, routers, and baby monitors—are most vulnerable, especially if they use default credentials or lack firmware updates.

4. How can I secure my IoT devices?

Change default passwords, update firmware regularly, disable unused features, and place IoT devices on a separate network to limit access if one is compromised.

5. Can one vulnerable device compromise an entire network?

Yes. If an attacker gains control of a single unprotected device, they can often move laterally to access other systems on the same network. Network segmentation helps prevent this.