You upgraded to a smart fridge so you could track groceries from your phone.
Your thermostat knows when you’re home and adjusts itself.
Smart tech is convenient, efficient—and everywhere.
But what happens if that smart appliance gets hijacked?
That’s not science fiction. It’s already happening.
When Smart Becomes a Soft Spot
Most smart appliances today—from kitchen gadgets to thermostats and TVs—are connected to your home or office Wi-Fi.
That means they’re also connected to everything else on that network.
If one of them is compromised, it can become a bridge to more valuable targets—your data, your cameras, your files.
In a 2025 demonstration, researchers showed how attackers could hijack a smart fridge to pivot into a corporate network.
They didn’t care about the fridge.
They used it as a foothold.
How Does It Happen?
Here’s how a smart appliance goes rogue:
Outdated firmware – Manufacturers often stop updating older models. That leaves them wide open.
Default credentials – Many devices ship with easy-to-guess usernames like “admin” and passwords like “1234.”
No segmentation – Most home and small office networks lump everything onto the same network: phones, laptops, printers, and yes, your coffee maker.
Attackers scan the internet for exposed devices (this is automated). Once they find one, they probe for weaknesses—then exploit them.
What Could Go Wrong?
A hacked appliance might seem low risk. But once compromised, it could be used to:
Launch attacks on your other devices
Act as a bot in a larger cyberattack (like a DDoS campaign)
Sniff traffic or collect sensitive data
Trigger power-consuming operations as a form of sabotage or extortion (yes, really)
And worst of all, you might never know it’s happening.
What to Watch For
Keep an eye out for:
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Unusual activity – Lights flickering, devices rebooting, changes to settings you didn’t make
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Bandwidth spikes – Appliances sending data when they shouldn’t
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Slower network performance – Especially during non-peak hours
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Login attempts – If your router logs them, failed connections might signal probing
How to Defend Your Kitchen (and Everything Else)
Update firmware regularly – If the device hasn’t had a security update in years, it’s a liability.
Change default passwords immediately – Use strong, unique passwords (or passphrases).
Segment your network – Set up a guest network for smart devices, so they don’t touch your work data.
Limit remote access – Only enable what you actually use. Disable universal plug-and-play (UPnP).
Monitor network traffic – Tools like your router’s admin panel or a security appliance can help you spot trouble.
Final Thought
Smart appliances are here to stay. And they’re not the enemy. But if they’re not properly secured, they can become a back door into your life or business.
Your fridge doesn’t need to be Fort Knox—but it does need a password and a plan.
Not sure if your smart setup is secure?
DS Tech can run a quick network check for your business and show you where the soft spots are—before someone else finds them.
