If you're curious about smart home hacking, we have new numbers you should know: The latest research shows a sudden change in security threats last year, with Internet of Things attacks up by a massive 124% in 2024. CNET got an early scoop on Cybersecurity company SonicWall's comprehensive 2025 Annual Cyber Threat Report, and while it's packed with stats on the latest security vulnerabilities that particular statistic caught my eye first.
Cyberattacks more than doubling is a steep increase and certainly enough to make me wonder if our smart home gadgets are at more risk due to new hacking techniques or other trends. And this isn't the first time we've seen this reported rise in IoT attacks. A November report from Zscaler found that IoT malware attacks had jumped 400% in recent years, while the NetGear/Bitdefense 2024 IoT security report showed smart home devices now experience up to 10 attacks per day.Â
But you don't need to start disconnecting your smart devices quite yet. Here's what SonicWall's report is saying and how to handle any threats you're worried about.
Note: SonicWall is a cybersecurity company and, as such, has a vested interest in selling security services. However, its year-over-year comparisons remain useful for charting trends, especially when many other security studies are seeing similar growth.Â
Read more: Best Home Security Cameras of 2025: My Top Picks
Smart device threats are on the rise, but it's all about governments
The year-over-year spike in IoT attacks is alarming, but it has a specific focus.
SonicWall reports in 2024 it stopped more than 17 million attacks on IP cameras, a massive increase from the previous year. Fortunately, you don't need to start ripping home security cameras from the walls.
As we've reported before, smart home hacking attempts are incredibly rare: Home security companies update their security regularly, and it's not worth it for cybercriminals to try and hack a home cam or smart lock -- that's too time-consuming and there's no big payout to expect. Thieves rarely use Wi-Fi jammers to block home security systems and only when they are already acquainted with the home -- they're typically an acquaintance who's already been inside.
So, where are all these new camera and smart device hacks aimed at? According to SonicWall's study, it's primarily government and critical infrastructure attacks as cybercriminals focus on where they can do maximum damage -- or find the most data to hold hostage. The sharp increase in attacks last year came from several factors:
- Government installations and related areas tend to have older security cameras and devices that are more open to attack
- The global 2024 elections saw a greater interest in hacking government facilities and even polling locations
- New, powerful IoT vulnerabilities were leveraged, such as the Hikvision IP Camera Command Injection vulnerability, which allows hackers to take control of vulnerable cams remotely
- The continued growth of the "Reaper" Botnet, which recruits unprotected smart devices for large-scale cyberattacks, often as part of espionage
- Shared vulnerabilities among similar IoT devices, especially those running OSS (open-source software)
- Cybercriminals using AI tools to find and exploit more vulnerabilities than ever before
Keeping your smart home safe
With government cams being most at threat, homeowners don't have as much to worry about -- yet.
Ultimately, smart home dangers tend to come from people you already know and weak security practices in well-to-do neighborhoods that could make you a target for thieves on the watch. This rise in IoT attacks isn't interested in small-scale, brand-managed home devices: They're focused on just the opposite.
To keep your home protected, practice good password management and don't repeat smart home passwords on other platforms like your email or website logins. When possible, use devices that support Matter and Thread. Update your smart home apps whenever new patches are available, and enable the highest encryption possible on your Wi-Fi router.
With these steps, the increase in IoT attacks shouldn't bother you at all -- although it would be a good idea if your local and state governments started following similar practices. SonicWall expects that IoT attacks will continue rising as threat actors search for any exploitable device in government, public infrastructure and related sectors. It's a scary time for authorities who've fallen behind on their security efforts, but we'll let you know if smart homes face anything similar.
For more, check out our guide on home security myths people should stop believing, the best cheap home security systems and the best ways to deter everyday burglars and thieves.