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24 internet-connected things that really shouldn't be online

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1. Don't put your ski lift gondola on the internet
This internet-connected ski lift (inset) lets anyone start, stop, and reverse the entire unit. You can even configure the steel cable tension. Definitely not the sort of thing you want pranksters to have unfettered access to.
Source: svbl/Twitter
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
2. Don't put your Pentagon systems on the internet
Why is this Dept. of Defense computer hooked up to the internet -- and what does this computer do? It could be payroll, or it could something more sinister. Maybe it's time to switch off that remote desktop access.
Source: David Longenecker/Twitter
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
3. Don't put your RSA two-factor keyfob on the internet
Two-factor authentication is great for making sure only one person in the world can access your account. Pro-tip: putting it on the internet defeats the point.
Source: Random Robbie/Twitter
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
4. Don't put your 'heizbetrieb' on the internet
In case you were wondering, "heizbetrieb" means "heating mode." In any case, putting the controls on the internet probably isn't the smartest idea -- especially if you value climate control.
Source: ZDNet
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
5. Don't put your financial planning data on the internet
An internet-connected backup drive belonging to a financial planner exposed social security, bank account, and financial planning data on customers with tens of millions of dollars of investments.
Source: ZDNet
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
6. Don't put your entire CCTV system on the internet
The whole point of "closed-circuit" surveillance is to make sure only a few people have it. But in this case, the entire world is watching.
Source: ZDNet
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
7. Don't put your cold storage control systems on the internet
The reasons for putting your cold storage control systems on the internet are twofold: one, to make sure that the unit is cold without having to put on a jacket, and two, for hackers.
Source: ZDNet
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
8. Don't put your pot factory on the internet
You must be crazy high to put your pot factory on the internet. Oh wait ...
Source: Stilgherrian/Twitter
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
9. Don't put your virtual keyboard app's customer data on the internet
A database belonging to the developer of a virtual keyboard wasn't protected with a password, leaving exposed its users' most private information -- totaling more than 577 gigabytes of sensitive data.
Source: ZDNet
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
10. Don't put your hydroelectric dam on the internet
If you ever wondered what "critical infrastructure" was, it's this. This is a German hydroelectric dam that enjoys super-fast internet, but it also opens the risk of it getting hacked.
Source: Stilgherrian/Twitter
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
11. Don't put your company's sensitive health information on the internet
A telemarketing company's database was found stored on an Amazon S3 storage bucket, including personal and health-related information, such as names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, email addresses, Social Security numbers, and some information on medical conditions.
Source: ZDNet
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
12. Don't put your inability to empathize on the internet
This is one of many examples of ordinary internet users exposing their systems to the internet with common remote desktop services. In this case, the user can be seen learning about empathy -- something you hopefully already know.
Source: ZDNet
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
13. Don't put your industrial concrete mixers on the internet
Anybody need concrete? Just go to http://exposed-concrete-mixer.com apparently, because this industrial mixer is just as easy to get to. Why does this need to be connected to the internet?
Source: Niall Merrigan/Twitter
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
14. Don't put your cash register on the internet
Sure, your point-of-sale device needs to send transactions over the internet. But does it need to be accessible remotely? Of course not. Pull that thing off the internet immediately.
Source: ZDNet
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
15. Don't put your cloud's private keys on the internet
Cloud giant Accenture had four servers without a password, which contained what one security researcher described as the "keys to the kingdom," which could have allowed further compromise.
Source: ZDNet
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
16. Don't put your dorky husbands on the internet
We're not sure exactly what is going on here, but if you've come this far, feel free to leave your best suggestions in the comments.
Source: Paul Sec/Twitter
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
17. Don't put your air conditioning unit on the internet
Ressentez-vous la chaleur? En anglais, s'il vous plaît. Fine -- do you feel the heat? Because someone just hacked into this French air conditioning unit, and it's very warm in here.
Source: ZDNet
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
18. Don't put your airport's backup servers on the internet
A security lapse exposed a New York airport's critical servers, including gigabytes of emails, sensitive government files, and a password list, which researchers say could give hackers "full access" to the airport's systems.
Source: ZDNet
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
19. Don't put your toilet satisfaction survey on the internet
If you're ever asked to rate a toilet, don't feel inclined to push a button on a touchscreen. The assurance that the toilet touchscreen is "sanitized regularly" doesn't fill us with much confidence.
Source: Niall Merrigan/Twitter
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
20. Don't put your industrial drills on the internet
Watching internet-connected drills drill is like watching paint dry. In either case there's a lesson: neither should ever be online.
Source: Kscarlett/Twitter
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
21. Don't put your entire batch of US voter records on the internet
More than 191 million US voters' data was exposed from as far back as 2000. Although in most states, access to voter registration data is available as a matter of public record, much of the data is highly restricted and can be used for limited purposes.
Source: ZDNet
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
22. Don't put your entire cinema on the internet
If it were up to me, you'd be watching "Hamsterdance" for three hours on repeat, and not the latest installment of "Kingsman," which was objectively a terrible film.
Source: Tactical Maid/Twitter
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
23. Don't put your Christmas market on the internet
Millions of cameras are hooked up to the internet nowadays. If they're not hooked up for your amusement, they're probably enlisted into a botnet, dropping cyberattacks on the masses.
Source: Eric Conrad/Twitter
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker
24. Don't put your military security clearance files on the internet
An unsecured backup drive exposed thousands of sensitive Air Force documents, including security clearance applications -- which contain sensitive personal information, and are highly valuable to foreign adversaries seeking to undermine US national security.
Source: ZDNet
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Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)
Caption by: Zack Whittaker

13 of 24 NEXT PREV

A roundup of some of the more bizarre things that are online -- but really shouldn't be.

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13. Don't put your industrial concrete mixers on the internet

Anybody need concrete? Just go to http://exposed-concrete-mixer.com apparently, because this industrial mixer is just as easy to get to. Why does this need to be connected to the internet?

Source: Niall Merrigan/Twitter

More IoT Threats

Published: May 31, 2018 -- 15:42 GMT (08:42 PDT)

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

13 of 24 NEXT PREV

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