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The Generalitat launches safety recommendations on toys and devices connected to the Internet ahead of the Christmas campaign

 

The Cybersecurity Center of the Community publishes a series of tips on these devices that take up Christmas shopping
The campaign focuses on connected toys ( smart toys ), home automation, IoT devices and body technology ( wearables )

The Ministry of Finance, Economy and Public Administration, through the ICT Security Center of the Valencian Community (CSIRT-CV), has launched an awareness campaign with a series of cyber security recommendations on connected devices or IoT (Internet of things, by their acronyms in English) in front of the Christmas campaign.

 

The Minister of Finance, Economy and Public Administration, Ruth Merino, has emphasized that the aim of these recommendations "is to raise awareness and raise awareness about the safe use of these devices", the sale of which increases during the campaign of Christmas

Under the slogan 'Connected devices yes, but without risks', the CSIRT-CV campaign will focus on the importance of taking appropriate security measures, as well as knowing the technical characteristics and privacy offered by these devices, since all the that is connected to the network is susceptible to a cyber attack.

 

The head of the Treasury has detailed that the campaign will focus on offering cyber security recommendations on four specific topics: connected toys or smart toys , the protection of IoT devices against cyber attacks, smart homes and body technology, related with the so-called wearables .

 

According to the experts of CSIRT-CV, at Christmas it is increasingly common to give gifts of interactive toys, smart watches, drones, technological gadgets and all kinds of smart devices for the home, such as robotic vacuum cleaners, virtual assistants, systems connected security systems with alarms and cameras, smart thermostats, etc.

 

The use of these devices carries risks if basic security rules are not followed, because they are connected to the network and can become an entryway for cybercriminals. "In the hyper-connected society in which we live, it doesn't matter how many bolts or alarms we put on our door, if our house can then be accessed through the refrigerator, because it is configured incorrectly", remember the CSIRT-CV experts .

 

What data they collect and how they transmit it to the Internet

The general director of Information and Communications Technologies, José Manuel García Duarte, explained that "the emergence of new technologies has boosted the offer of toys connected to the Internet because, by enhancing interactive play and learning, they are very attractive However, they can pose a security risk because they are easier to hack, attacking wifi and bluetooth connections ”.

 

According to García Duarte, "it is difficult for many parents to think about this when their sons and daughters play with robots, dolls, stuffed animals or drones but, precisely for this reason, the recommendations of CSIRT-CV are very practical and useful and focus on reinforcing security after purchase for the peace of mind of parents and the safety of minors”.

 

The general director of ICT has emphasized that, when giving gifts, "special care must be taken in the subsequent configuration that these devices require and in the supervision of the use made by minors, in the case of toys and wearables " (smart watches, activity bracelets, headphones, augmented reality glasses, etc.).

 

Finally, García Duarte emphasised that "you need to know what data the toy or device collects and how it transmits it to the Internet, as well as reading the privacy policy of the device and the application it uses. In addition, it is very important that the configuration is safe and establish guidelines to enjoy them without risk".

 

The ICT Security Center of the Valencian Community is a center attached to the General Directorate of Information and Communications Technologies (DGTIC), which actively promotes training and awareness campaigns against the risk posed by cyberattacks and which are directed both to citizens and to companies and administrations.

 

CSIRT-CV publishes its campaigns on the web portal specialised in cyber security awareness

(concienciat.gva.es ) and on its social network profiles.

 

Picture by jcomp