The Weaponization Of Iot Devices

The Weaponization of IoT Devices: Rise of the Thingbots is an IBM X-Force® Research report that examines the growing use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in cybercriminal activity—especially for building botnets to launch DDoS attacks. Unlike traditional PC-based botnets, these new “thingbots” exploit the often-weak security of IoT devices, turning them into powerful attack platforms.

The report outlines the evolution of DDoS attacks, from early IRC-based Eggdrop bots to sophisticated PC botnets and now large-scale IoT-based botnets like Mirai, which gained notoriety in 2016 for bringing down major internet services. IBM observed increased scanning activity on ports such as 23, 2323, and 7547, which are commonly targeted by Mirai-based malware, indicating ongoing attempts to expand these IoT botnets. As IoT devices are expected to surpass 22 billion units by 2025, the report calls for greater awareness and stronger security practices by both organizations and consumers.

Key takeaway: Without proactive defense, IoT devices will remain easy targets, giving attackers scalable tools for disruption, extortion, or worse.