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The Ring Video Doorbell. Tyler Lizenby/CNET, a limited liability partnership (LLP) that assesses computer systems, apps and more for potential network security vulnerabilities, took a close look at the recently and found a serious flaw for hackers to exploit. The team of testers says Ring has already addressed the issue via a firmware update (Ring also confirmed the updated on its own website today), but it's still interesting to look at how hackers are trying to circumvent smart-home security protocols to access Wi-Fi networks. More on hacking:. Because Ring doorbells are only secured to your door frame with a couple of screws, it's pretty easy to access the back of the unit. And, if a hacker were to press that orange button, they'd be able to get their hands on all sorts of Wi-Fi goodies.
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Specifically, Ring units are equipped with Gainspan wireless modules and pressing the orange configuration button puts it into access point (AP) mode. Once that access point is created, hackers can supposedly retrieve the MAC address and Gainspan's HTTP server.
Ring says its customers needn't worry: 'No hacks took place. It is highly unlikely that someone would be able to execute the 'hack' explained by Pen Test Partners. If they were to try, don't forget that the user would likely have a recording of the person,' a Ring representative told me today. Even so, it would be pretty easy to get all alarmist about Ring's security. But, the Internet of Things is full of connected devices - Wi-Fi-enabled or otherwise - that also have some degree of hackability. We've seen it in everything from to.
A good rule of thumb to help protect yourself, and this applies to products in any tech category, is to check often to make sure your software is current.