ELI5: why is smart home hacking common

Smart home hacking is common because many devices aren't very good at keeping bad guys out.

Imagine your house is a smart home with a talking fridge, a door that opens with your phone, and lights you can control with your voice. These things are all connected to the internet, like toys that can talk to each other.

• Think of your front door. A normal door has a lock and key. A smart door has a digital lock, which is like a computer.

• A regular burglar might try to pick the lock on your normal door.
• A smart home hacker is like a burglar who knows how to trick the computer lock on your smart door.

• Weak Locks: Many smart devices have simple passwords or aren't updated with security fixes, like leaving your normal door unlocked or with a broken lock.
• Too Many Keys: All your smart devices are connected. If a hacker gets into your talking fridge, they might also be able to unlock your smart door! That's because the fridge and the door share information, like sharing the same key.
• Invisible Doors: It's harder to see a hacker trying to break into a computer than someone trying to pick a physical lock. They can do it from anywhere in the world, like sending a sneaky message over the internet to trick your fridge.