Buying a robotic vacuum cleaners with a camera? That's a hacker's dream

Artificial intelligence is taking an indispensable position in our lives, with smart gadgets and appliances developing faster than imagination. Home appliances are getting equipped with modern and smarter conveniences. Take for example robotic vacuum cleaners — they are getting clever as we speak. Some of the latest ones are even equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity and cameras to help them learn the surroundings visually. However, while they may sound as futuristic with these features, they are incredibly prone to be hacked.

According to a report by Mashable, cybersecurity firm Positive Technologies has deduced that these advanced vacuum cleaners may not be secure and may be instrumental in helping hackers invade privacy. They have discovered this issue with Diquee’s robotic vacuum cleaner, which comes equipped with HD 360-degree camera, night vision, and anti-collision sound wave technology. The report mentions that hackers can gain unauthorised access to the cleaner’s ‘robotic part’ and can control it manually. They can also access the live feed from the camera, thereby breaching privacy without even making the owner aware about it.

The device in question is in fact so unsafe that hackers can use it to mine cryptocurrency. They can even make use of it in DDoS attacks. The report even maintains that the robotic vacuum cleaner can be used as a medium to hack into a Wi-Fi network and scoop data from all the connected devices.

Therefore, if you are one of those using the Diquee camera-equipped vacuum cleaner, it’s suggested to refrain from using it until the company officially rolls out a fix for it. If you are a similar robotic vacuum cleaner of different make, it is advised to maintain caution and get it checked up by a cyber security firm.

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