Ecovacs Robot Vacuum Cleaner Hacked by ABC News

tonester on 04/10/2024 - 07:40
Last edited 04/10/2024 - 10:54 by 1 other user

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-04/robot-vacuum-hacked-p…

We hacked a robot vacuum — and could watch live through its camera

The largest home robotics company in the world has failed to fix security issues with its robot vacuums despite being warned about them last year.

Without even entering the building, we were able to silently take photos of the (consenting) owner of a device made by Chinese giant Ecovacs.

And then things got even creepier.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-04/scammers-using-system…

Experts say scammers are getting a leg-up from the system that serves us personalised ads

The online ad industry may be providing scammers with the tools to target Australians more efficiently.

A new report reveals how the sale of people's consumer data could be fuelling common scams featuring fake road toll notices or texts purporting to be from AusPost.

Electrical & Electronics Ecovacs Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

Related Stores

ECOVACS
ECOVACS
ABC - Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Comments

  • 87percent on 04/10/2024 - 08:04
    +10

    reading that title, i thought ABC News hacked the vacuum

    • donga100 on 04/10/2024 - 09:08
      +6

      According to the article they did.

  • superm86 on 04/10/2024 - 08:09
    +7

    Can they also then see which spots are more dirty and steer vacuum there?

    • jjjaar on 04/10/2024 - 08:24

      Like VR from the vacuums perspective? Nice.

  • lunchbox99 on 04/10/2024 - 08:41
    +1

    I have an ecovacs robovac but I have no idea why it would need a camera (mine doesn't have one). Just asking for trouble IMHO.

    • Sinnerator on 04/10/2024 - 08:53
      +3

      same reason the torch ap on your phone needs FULL SYSTEM ACCESS

      • lunchbox99 on 04/10/2024 - 08:57
        -1

        The ads show people watching their pets etc. Seems like a daft use of a vacuum cleaner.

        In fairness, most webcams are probably just as hackable.

    • notfrodo on 04/10/2024 - 09:26
      +1

      Object detection. LiDAR only knows if something is in the way but it doesnt know what it is. Is it a curtain? Or a wall? Also LIDAR cant detect things below the scan line like socks and cables.

    • EightImmortals on 04/10/2024 - 09:31

      Apparently helps in dodging all the crap you were too lazy to pick up off the floor. :)
      Why the camera would net internet access, maybe to match crap on the floor to crap in a database?
      Otherwise, to give the usual suspects access to your home.

    • c64 on 05/10/2024 - 19:06

      they are little spy bots https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-05/robot-vacuum-deebot-e…

      don't walk around in the nude

  • c64 on 04/10/2024 - 10:53

    and you thought you could just leave a huge mess on the floor and get away with it? who do you think you are kidding? the CCP knows …

  • Sammy2000 on 04/10/2024 - 11:00
    +1

    Missus didn't want one with a camera. She will love this article.

    • valuer on 04/10/2024 - 13:41

      She's a keeper.

  • Exprise on 04/10/2024 - 11:34
    -2

    This was my concern and happy we didn't get one = )
    Recipe for disaster if you ask me. Why would I pay $1,000+ for a potential when I can create one for free!?

  • rumblytangara on 04/10/2024 - 12:17
    +4

    This isn't great news, but the vulnerability requiring Bluetooth makes a massive difference. It means that the attacker has to be within wireless range (article mentions 100 or 140m and that's almost with line of sight clearance).

    Still not good at all, but it is so different from the attacker being 'anywhere on the internet' which is the usual story. Literal multiple orders of magnitude in difference.

    Also- camera on a freaking robot vacuum is a dumbass idea. But imo any low security IoT device connected to your trusted LAN is also a dumb idea, and that seems to be widely accepted on this forum already.

    What's the adage about this? The S in IoT stands for Security.

    (Feel free to downvote.)

    • tonester on 04/10/2024 - 13:00

      What's the adage about this? The S in IoT stands for Security

      and obviously as there’s no S in IoT, that means that…

      :)

  • staceyasinme on 04/10/2024 - 23:19

    Does anyone know how the other brands compare with security?

    • rumblytangara on 05/10/2024 - 09:33

      Companies that make this stuff have security fairly low down on their lists.

      As security flaws go, this is a pretty minor one.

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