Connected homes are becoming prime targets for cybercriminals
Modern homes packed with connected technology are increasingly at risk: the number of cyberattacks targeting smart devices has tripled since 2024, according to a global study by Bitdefender and NETGEAR.
On average, a household has 22 connected devices, each facing nearly 30 daily attacks. The surge is driven by automated hacking tools and the exploitation of devices running outdated or unsecured firmware.
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The most frequently targeted devices include streaming media systems (25.9%), smart TVs (21.3%), and security cameras (8.6%), which together account for more than half of detected vulnerabilities. Failing to update these devices leaves entire home networks exposed.
Almost all attacks exploit known vulnerabilities that could be fixed through basic updates — highlighting the importance of regular device maintenance. The most severe attacks can lead to complete remote takeover of smart devices.
The research analyzed data from 6.1 million homes across North America, Europe, and Australia between January and October 2025, tracking 13.6 billion IoT attacks and 4.6 billion exploitation attempts. Major incidents included a record 22.2 Tbps DDoS attack, the BadBox botnet, and proof-of-concept attacks showing how solar inverters could be hijacked to disrupt power grids.
“Homes have become complex digital systems, where every light bulb or camera can be a target. Security must be integrated directly into routers and gateways,” said Ciprian Istrate, Senior VP at Bitdefender.
“The router is the heart of the connected home – connectivity must also mean trust,” added Jonathan Oakes, Senior VP and GM Home Networking at NETGEAR.
Bitdefender and NETGEAR provide protection through the NETGEAR Armor™ powered by Bitdefender® platform, built into Nighthawk routers and Orbi Mesh WiFi systems, designed to detect threats, identify vulnerabilities, and block phishing or data theft attempts.
Photo: freepik.com
