By 2026 the average home has between twenty and thirty connected IoT devices: smart cameras, doorbells, thermostats, light bulbs, locks, fridges, robot vacuums and more. They make everyday life easier, but most still come with very poor security out of the box. In this article we’ll go over the vulnerabilities attackers exploit the most right now, share some real incidents from 2025 and early 2026, and give you straightforward steps to secure your devices before they turn into an easy way in for hackers.
1. The Most Dangerous IoT Vulnerabilities Right Now
Default or Weak Passwords
A lot of devices ship with passwords like admin/admin, root/12345 or sometimes no password at all. Most people never bother changing them.
No Firmware Updates or Updates Turned Off
Manufacturers often stop supporting devices after one or two years, leaving known security holes wide open. Even when updates are available, many users ignore the notifications or disable automatic updates.
Exposed Directly to the Internet
Thanks to UPnP or port forwarding, many devices can be reached from anywhere online, making them easy targets for brute-force attacks or remote exploits.
Poor or Missing Encryption
Some devices still send data over plain HTTP instead of HTTPS, use unencrypted MQTT protocols, or rely on outdated TLS versions that are easy to downgrade.
Getting Recruited into Botnets
Once compromised, cameras, routers and other devices join large botnets similar to Mirai variants. These networks are used for massive DDoS attacks, cryptocurrency mining or credential stuffing.
One real example from late 2025: a new Mirai-style variant infected more than half a million IoT cameras in just a few months by targeting default credentials and unpatched firmware from one popular low-cost brand.
2. Why IoT Devices Are Such a Perfect Entry Point
When attackers get into one smart device, they can do a lot more than you might think. They often pivot to your entire Wi-Fi network, install keyloggers or spyware on connected computers, steal saved credentials from browsers, use your IP address for spam, DDoS or fraud, or even spy through cameras and microphones.
3. How to Secure Your Smart Devices in 2026 – Step by Step
Step 1: Change Every Default Credential Right Away
- Create strong, unique passwords of at least sixteen characters (use our generator if you need help)
- Never reuse the same password on different devices
- Turn on passkeys if the device or app supports them
Step 2: Put IoT Devices on Their Own Network
- Set up a separate guest Wi-Fi network or IoT VLAN on your router
- Block those devices from talking to your computers, printers or other personal gear
- Use firewall rules to stop them from connecting to suspicious or unknown IP addresses
Step 3: Keep Firmware Updated and Turn Off Risky Features
- Enable automatic updates wherever possible
- Check the manufacturer’s site every few months for manual updates
- Disable UPnP, WPS and any remote management from the internet side
Step 4: Pick Better Devices When You Can
- Go for devices that support Matter or Thread standards – they usually have a stronger security foundation
- Avoid ultra-cheap no-name brands from unknown sellers
- Look for certification like Works with Apple HomeKit, Google Home or Amazon Alexa – they tend to be better vetted
Step 5: Keep an Eye on Things and Limit Exposure
- Use network monitoring tools like Fing, Pi-hole or your router’s logs to spot strange traffic
- Turn off microphones and cameras when you’re not using them
- Regularly check which devices are connected in your router or app
Conclusion
IoT devices in 2026 are incredibly handy, but they’re still one of the biggest weak spots in most home networks. The good news is you don’t need fancy enterprise equipment to fix this. Strong passwords, putting devices on a separate network, keeping everything updated and a bit of basic caution go a really long way.
Spend half an hour this weekend changing passwords, isolating your IoT network and turning off UPnP. Your smart home will be much safer – and so will your privacy.