It goes without saying that technology today has a greater impact on our lives than ever before. We now have near-instant access to virtually infinite amounts of information at our fingertips, thanks to devices like phones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, and more.
Sadly, this also means that individuals with harmful motives have more ways to access our personal information than before. Hackers can utilise technology in highly inventive ways to commit crimes including identity fraud and theft, or use our personal data for myriad purposes against our wishes.
Many people are familiar with the most common outlets for cybercrime thanks to its frequent presence in the news. However, when thinking about shoring up our cybersecurity, we frequently forget about one seemingly innocent device: the e-cigarette. (primetimetallahassee.com) Because they don?t connect to the internet (yet!), vaping devices are often overlooked as a cybersecurity threat, but they may still have the capacity to be used against us. Here, EDGE Vaping discusses the dangers and explains how serious of a threat our vapes may truly be in the hands of a hacker.
The hidden risks posed by everyday hardware
Vaping equipment has grown more technologically advanced in recent years. Even basic vape device models have storage capabilities enabling them to hold lines of code. Although it is improbable that a brand-new device in its original packaging has been purposefully tampered with, it is nevertheless possible that the data recorded on it has been changed.
If a cybercriminal was able to install a hardware chip on the device before you bought it, this would allow them to change it in a variety of ways – for example, increasing the amount of information it can store in order to embed longer pieces of code on the vape.?
The real risk posed by hacking comes from connecting a compromised vape device to another piece of technology. When your vape’s battery runs out, you may automatically put it on charge by connecting it to a computer or laptop. Several manufacturers even recommend doing this, rather than putting the item into a power outlet, and it is often more convenient than carrying a separate charging device or power connector.
Any code that has been installed on the vape device would be able to access your files when plugged into a computer, and this could lead to serious consequences.
A keyboard may be used to conceal USBs
A USB device that has been hacked or contains specific pieces of code can pretend to be a keyboard or other computer accessory when it is connected. If the device can fool a computer into thinking it is a keyboard, it can access lots of personal information. In this state, the device can input commands to instruct the computer to do anything, such as download malware, and the computer cannot tell that the commands have not come directly from the user.
The greatest way to combat this danger is to simply be aware of the risks and exercise proper care. Many people are not even aware that a vape device can be a target for hackers, but once you are alert to this possibility, it is easier to avoid this outcome. You should proceed cautiously while using any electrical devices until you feel confident they are safe.?
What is the degree of risk posed by e-cigarettes?
The connection and storage limitations of e-cigarettes prevent hackers from using them for severely harmful actions.
Additionally, there is very little chance that any hacked code will be able to unlock the device you attach it to, provided it is password protected. If you keep your computer locked when you plug your vape device in for charging, this will restrict its access to any sensitive information and minimise the risk to your cybersecurity.
Other ways to bolster your security are by avoiding questionable software and keeping your computer up to date with the most recent software updates. Buying trustworthy, high-quality vape devices from reputable vendors will eliminate the risk that a vape device has been tampered with and ensure that your personal data and computer systems remain safe and secure.