New Cyberattack Mode Exposes Nearly 500M IoT Devices - RTInsights

New Cyberattack Mode Exposes Nearly 500M IoT Devices

New Cyberattack Mode Exposes Nearly 500M IoT Devices

cyberattack

DNS rebinding is a cyberattack method that allows a remote hacker to bypass the targeted device’s network firewall.

Written By
Sue Walsh
Sue Walsh
Aug 15, 2018
1 minute read

Research firm Armis released a report that indicates nearly half a billion IoT enterprise devices are exposed to cyberattack via DNS rebinding.

This attack method allows remote hackers to bypass targeted device network firewalls and hijack web browsers to communicate directly with devices on the local network and exploit security vulnerabilities. It just requires a user’s browser to access a malicious website or ad.

Google discussed DNS rebinding earlier this year. Cyberattackers can use this tecnique to exploit critical security flaws in BitTorrent applications and clients and exploit vulnerabilities in:

  • Roku TVs
  • Smart thermostats
  • Routers
  • Sonos speakers
  • Google Chromecast and Home devices.

See also: How SMBs can protect themselves from cyberattack

Armis estimates that DMS rebinding could affect approximately 496 million enterprise devices:

  • 165 million printers
  • 160 million IP cameras
  • 124 million IP phones
  • 28 million smart TVs
  • 14 million switches and routers
  • 5 million media players

“Because of the widespread use of the types of devices listed above within enterprises, Armis can say that nearly all enterprises are susceptible to DNS rebinding attacks,” Armis said. “Unfortunately, printers are one of the least managed, most poorly configured devices in the enterprise. Aside from adjusting basic network configurations, enterprises typically deploy printers with default settings, making them an ideal target for a DNS rebinding attack.”

Armis recommends that companies protect themselves by:

  • Conducting risk analyses
  • Disabling unnecessary services
  • Running updated firmware and security patches on devices
Sue Walsh

Sue Walsh is News Writer for RTInsights, and a freelance writer and social media manager living in New York City. Her specialties include tech, security and e-commerce. You can follow her on Twitter at @girlfridaygeek.

Featured Resources from Cloud Data Insights

How Brands Can Keep AI From Overwhelming Customer Communications
Andrew Stevenson
Jul 18, 2026
AI Agents Act in Real Time. Your Security Governance Needs to Match That Speed
Adam Auerbach
Jul 17, 2026
You Don’t Have a Token Problem. You Have a Policy Problem.
Brett Levenson
Jul 15, 2026
Why AI Systems Are Only as Good as the Data Being Fed into Them
Doug Sullinger
Jul 14, 2026
RT Insights Logo

Analysis and market insights on real-time analytics including Big Data, the IoT, and cognitive computing. Business use cases and technologies are discussed.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.