High-tech toilets vulnerable to hacking

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If you are using one of those high-tech toilets Japan is famous for, and you notice the lid suddenly opening and closing automatically, unexpected and repeated flushes, you might thinks it is a perfect case of “conjuring,” but in reality your high-tech toilet has been hacked.

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Japan’s most popular Satis smart toilet that can be controlled by a smartphone, is vulnerable to cyberattacks, warn security experts.

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According to Trustwave, software security firm, the super advanced high-tech Satis toilet from LIXIL can be hacked by malicious pranksters by misusing the free Bluetooth app and creating very awkward moments.

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The high-tech toilet is controlled through an android app called My Satis. The various hygienic features on offer are: it deodorizes the bathroom, plays music, dries you with warm air and has automatic flushing and bidet spray.

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This toilet functions on instructions received through Bluetooth via the app. The pin code for all the models is hardwired to four zeros (0000) indicating it cannot be changed and reset and can be activated with any phone that has the My Satis app, reports BBC.

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“An attacker could simply download the My Satis application and use it to cause the toilet to repeatedly flush, raising the water usage and therefore utility cost to its owner. Attackers could also cause the unit to unexpectedly open/close the lid, activate bidet or air-dry functions, causing discomfort or distress to the user,” Trustwave said in a report.

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With the limited range of Bluetooth, the toilet hacker who plans such activities will have to be located close to the toilet.

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“It’s easy to see how a practical joker might be able to trick his neighbors into thinking his toilet is possessed as it squirts water and blows warm air unexpectedly on their intended victim, but it’s hard to imagine how serious hardened cybercriminals would be interested in this security hole. Although this vulnerability seems largely harmless, what’s clear is that companies building household appliances need to have security in mind just as much as computer manufacturers,” said security expert Graham Cluley.

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