Google-Supported Web Bluetooth And WebUSB APIs May Make The Internet Less Secure

[Lucian Armasu]

Google's creation and support of the Web Bluetooth and WebUSB APIs may end-up making the internet less secure, as more malicious hackers could get remote access to insecure devices.

Google-Supported Web Bluetooth And WebUSB APIs May Make The Internet Less Secure : Read more

 

[__thatguy__]

Yes, if you don't make something web connected it will be more secure than if it is web-connected. If I don't leave my house I'm less likely to be mugged. That doesn't mean I shouldn't leave my house.

You are suggesting we stop progressing because of a challenge. Shame. Thats such backwards thinking. Implementing security protocols is indeed the correct way to approach this, IOT manufacturers are facing legal backlash and will likely make devices more secure moving forward.

 

[targetdrone]

It's all fun and games until the Cylons hack the life support systems via the Bluetooth enabled toilets then "flushes" everyone into space.

 

[bit_user]

You are suggesting we stop progressing because of a challenge. Shame. Thats such backwards thinking.

I think the core point is that the same technological changes needed for Google to integrate with devices are the ones that expose them to hacking. It's not a small point.

Implementing security protocols is indeed the correct way to approach this, IOT manufacturers are facing legal backlash and will likely make devices more secure moving forward.

It's actually deeper than that. Because there's a "network effect" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_effect). That is to say that even if my device is securely connected to my smart phone, if either my smart phone or my cloud account get hacked, the hacker can still exploit and potentially hack the connected device, which can then potentially be used in further hacking. And even if the device isn't hacked, per se, it still gives a hacker with access to the phone/computer more ways to do damage or exploit the target.

Security is hard - a lesson we keep learning over and over. This is a problem that really justifies some outside-the-box thinking, and it sounds like that's not happening.

I think we can agree that it's a false dichotomy to say that the only way to remain secure is to keep devices disconnected.