Watch out for your toaster! It could be hacking your computer!

SUBMAN1 · 12-18-07, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Man uses networked 'crazy' toaster to hack PC

Then gets grilled at hacker fest

By John Leyden → More by this author
Published Tuesday 18th December 2007 12:59 GMT

The more paranoid among us have long been wary of the possibility that networked fridges might spontaneously turn off, perhaps after becoming infected with a computer virus, ruining milk in the process. Other networked appliances might also pose a danger of sorts, security boffins have shown.

A security expert from Check Point demonstrated at the recent ClubHACK 2007 conference in India how a networked toaster might be used to hack a computer. The party piece, carried out by Check Point's Dror Shalev, turns the more conventional use of computers in vending machines and computerised household appliances (such as DVD players) on its head.

Shalev said he developed the networked toaster hack in response to a statement from a senior scientist from Google that there was no need to be afraid of a toaster at home. "But as a hacker, I came up with a toaster that could actually hack a computer," Shalev explained. "I call it a ‘Crazy Toaster'."

Details on Shalev's quixotic hack are sparse, but it is said to involve the development of software that interacted with a networked toaster. "As soon as the toaster is plugged (in), the software is activated before it breaks into the user’s computer system. The same software prototype can be networked with any home appliance for stealing the Web secrets," Shalev said. "With wireless technology available, there is no need for connecting the appliance with the computer," he chillingly added.

Shalev said the hack demonstrated that users should avoid blindly trusting any networked device, even a toaster. "As the usage of computers and the internet goes up, we will need to be cautious about every object in our surroundings," he warned.

In the future, people should purchase home appliances only from trusted outlets, he advised. "If an appliance or home device comes as a gift, accept it only if it is from someone you trust," Shalev noted, we suspect shortly before retiring to his private bunker somewhere on the outskirts of the Negev desert.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/12..._toaster_hack/

August · 12-18-07, 06:13 PM

Hacking toasters?

DeepIron · 12-18-07, 06:20 PM

Back in the "old days" before wireless when we used CAT5 cable, we used to say "the best network security is a one inch air gap".

That just ain't true anymore. The next generation of networkable appliances and mobile devices are going to push the security technologies to the their absolute limits...

STEED · 12-18-07, 06:36 PM

Death to toasters ever where.

Letum · 12-18-07, 07:00 PM

I made this a while ago....

StdDev · 12-18-07, 07:28 PM

Yeah.. I hate it when that happens.. just the other day I caught the networked ceiling fan sending lewd porn email to my wife... and trying to get my neighbors to send money to it's online bank account.

Stealth Hunter · 12-18-07, 08:09 PM

"But why, Mr. Toaster? Why? Why did you send me all the free and hot porn that drove my wife away?"

*silence*

"ANSWER ME, DAMMIT!"

*silence*

"Wait! What are you doing with that toast?"

*silence*

"Oh God! No! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!!!!"

*DING!*

"NOO!!! THE TOAST IS BURNED!!! DAMN YOU, MR. TOASTER! DAMN YOU TO HELL!!"

bookworm_020 · 12-18-07, 10:12 PM

The only thing my toaster has in common with my computer is the flying toaster wallpaper that used to be the screen saver!

SUBMAN1 · 12-18-07, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

The only thing my toaster has in common with my computer is the flying toaster wallpaper that used to be the screen saver!

Now you are starting to see the big conspiracy!

They got you used to seeing toasters and computers together! Don't LET THEM GET TO YOU!

-S

Zachstar · 12-18-07, 10:22 PM

Simple solution for hacking toasters.

Toast the toaster in the nearest legal trash fire.

Reaves · 12-18-07, 10:29 PM

I was recently hospitalised after being mauled by a toy robot dog.

Zachstar · 12-18-07, 10:31 PM

Not somthing you want to admit on a public forum.

:rotfl:

Whatever happened to the good ole days where the toaster shot the toast into the air and you had to catch it?

Stealth Hunter · 12-18-07, 11:42 PM

Americans became lazier...?

12-18-07, 06:13 PM	#2
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,210 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Hacking toasters? __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

12-18-07, 06:20 PM	#3
DeepIron Sea Lord Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Too far from the Pacific right now... Posts: 1,634 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Back in the "old days" before wireless when we used CAT5 cable, we used to say "the best network security is a one inch air gap". That just ain't true anymore. The next generation of networkable appliances and mobile devices are going to push the security technologies to the their absolute limits... __________________ RFB / RSRDC Beta Tester RFB / RSRDC Modding Forum: http://forum.kickinbak.com/index.php RFB Top Post link: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=125529 RFB Loadout: RFB_V1.52_102408: RFB_V1.52_Patch_111608: RSRDC_RFBv15_V396

12-18-07, 06:36 PM	#4
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Death to toasters ever where. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

12-18-07, 07:00 PM	#5
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	I made this a while ago.... __________________

12-18-07, 10:12 PM	#8
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	The only thing my toaster has in common with my computer is the flying toaster wallpaper that used to be the screen saver! __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

12-18-07, 07:28 PM	#6
StdDev Legend of the Sea Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: the Great Wet North Posts: 635 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Yeah.. I hate it when that happens.. just the other day I caught the networked ceiling fan sending lewd porn email to my wife... and trying to get my neighbors to send money to it's online bank account.

12-18-07, 08:09 PM	#7
Stealth Hunter Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Y'ha-Nthlei Posts: 4,262 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	"But why, Mr. Toaster? Why? Why did you send me all the free and hot porn that drove my wife away?" *silence* "ANSWER ME, DAMMIT!" *silence* "Wait! What are you doing with that toast?" *silence* "Oh God! No! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!!!!" *DING!* "NOO!!! THE TOAST IS BURNED!!! DAMN YOU, MR. TOASTER! DAMN YOU TO HELL!!"

12-18-07, 10:22 PM	#10
Zachstar Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,956 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Simple solution for hacking toasters. Toast the toaster in the nearest legal trash fire. __________________

12-18-07, 10:29 PM	#11
Reaves The Old Man Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,509 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	I was recently hospitalised after being mauled by a toy robot dog. __________________

12-18-07, 10:31 PM	#12
Zachstar Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,956 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Not somthing you want to admit on a public forum. :rotfl: Whatever happened to the good ole days where the toaster shot the toast into the air and you had to catch it? __________________

12-18-07, 11:42 PM	#13
Stealth Hunter Silent Hunter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Y'ha-Nthlei Posts: 4,262 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	Americans became lazier...?