Casino Gets Hacked Through Its Internet-Connected Fish Tank Thermometer

The Hacker News ^ | April 16, 2018 | Wang Wei

[TigerLikesRoosterNew]

---snip---

We have another great example that showcases how one innocent looking insecure IoT device connected to your network can cause security nightmares.

Nicole Eagan, the CEO of cybersecurity company Darktrace, told attendees at an event in London on Thursday how cybercriminals hacked an unnamed casino through its Internet-connected thermometer in an aquarium in the lobby of the casino.

According to what Eagan claimed, the hackers exploited a vulnerability in the thermostat to get a foothold in the network. Once there, they managed to access the high-roller database of gamblers and "then pulled it back across the network, out the thermostat, and up to the cloud."

Although Eagan did not disclose the identity of the casino, the incident she was sharing could be of last year, when Darktrace published a report [PDF], referencing to a thermometer hack of this sort on an unnamed casino based in North America.

---snip---

[Stormy_MS1]

Oh my...and here I was all worried about my smart electric meter!!!😁

[Elsie]

Only the suckers

[Elsie]

We have NEVER seen interest on this scale before.

[Elsie]

We have abandoned all reason in entrusting critical military, infrastructure, and even medical devices to networking connectivity.

OOps!

[Elsie]

Cheap mass-produced IoT devices come from a certain country which is not a friend of U.S.. They are saturating other countries with their devices.

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“Behind Winston’s back the voice from the telescreen was still babbling away about pig iron and the overfulfillment of the Ninth Three-Year Plan.

The telescreen received and transmitted simultaneously. Any sound that Winston made, above the level of a very low whisper, would be picked up by it; moreover so long as he remained within the field of vision which the metal plaque commanded, he could be seen as well as heard.

There was of course no way of knowing whether you were being watched at any given moment. How often, or on what system, the Thought Police plugged in on any individual wire was guesswork. It was even conceivable that they watched everybody all the time. But at any rate they could plug in your wire whenever they wanted to.

You had to live–did live, from habit that became instinct–in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard, and, except in darkness, every moment scrutinized”

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[PLMerite]

“Why in the world does anyone need to connect their fish tank thermometer to the internet?”

So the fish can download updates. Can’t have out-of-date fish.

[Petrosius]

My question was not why there was a need for computer control, but why would it have to be connected to the internet. Why could this not be accomplished by a free-standing and independent computer?

[TigerLikesRoosterNew]

Better management. Computer itself needs to be monitored and maintained, too. Preferably in real-time. So it is better to have remote servers process all data from sensors.

It is a simplified setup. You only need to deploy sensors and rudimentary devices locally while heavy duty computing is done in remote servers. Cutting down the cost of deploying stand-alone computers all over the place.

[Tallguy]

“Ocean’s 14” Thirteen smart-allecks watching the 14th & newest member write code.

[Vaduz]

Wise actions on your part it pays not to be trendy.

[PittsburghAfterDark]

My fiancée thinks I am crazy for not wanting a Ring doorbell, Nest anything, no digital assistant, no network devices made by Google or Amazon. Yep..... crazy.

[Notthereyet]

“Is it even possible to purchase a new “non-smart” TV today?
_______________________________________

Mmm. Good question. I was thinking not everyone wants a ‘smart’ tv or ‘smart’ appliance.

Going to start looking on-line. LOL

My beloved is really anal about this issue. We have an extremely old television that is from the 90s and still works...as a back-up to our current television and another one like the current television still in its original box. The man is determined! LOL

[Notthereyet]

It will tell you that without you asking for directions.

Oh, what a mess.

[Notthereyet]

What is the best non smart TV?
The Best Non Smart TV For 2021: Great Quality and Affordably Priced
1.1 Sceptre X438BV-FSR – Best Picture Quality.
1.2 Samsung Electronics UN32J4001 – Best Color Display.
1.3 Sceptre X328BV-SR – Best For Kid Bedrooms.
1.4 LG 24LJ4540 – Best For Compact Size.

The Best Non Smart TV For 2021: Great Quality And ... - Qteroswww.qteros.com › Electronics, Computers & Office
Search for: What is the best non smart TV?

[Notthereyet]

Do they still make non smart TVs?
Unfortunately, most non-smart sets seem to come from lesser-known brands, such as Seiki, Onn, and Sceptre. RCA makes these TVs, too, and we’ve also seen refurbished sets from brands like Element and Philips. ... Bigger brands still make non-smart TVs — but you may have to pay more for them.Feb 21, 2020

Can You Still Buy a Non-Smart TV? - DealNews

[Notthereyet]

Does Samsung make a non smart TV?
“55”class samsung non smart tv”

55”class samsung non smart tv - Best Buywww.bestbuy.com › site › searchpage › st=55”class+sa...
Search for: Does Samsung make a non smart TV?

[Notthereyet]

Sorry about so many pings to your question.

I don’t want anything that can look at me while I’m looking at it!

Or listening to me, for that matter!

LOL

[Garth Tater]

"Why could this not be accomplished by a free-standing and independent computer?"

That computer and its software would still have to be monitored by a real, live person, otherwise the inevitable dead fish would start to smell which might offend some of the guests and if the computer isn't connected to the internet then that job can't be outsourced to Habib in India.

[TexasGator]

I gather from your response that they do have smart devices in their. home?

[TexasGator]

” Paper and pen in my line of work is all I trust to keep things private.”

Never write down anything you want to keep private.