Uninvited guests

Many consumer electronics companies are launching 'smart' versions of their appliances. TVs, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, ovens, and vacuum cleaners - virtually any consumer electronic device can be made smart, by being fitted with a powerful embedded computer designed to be always on and networked via the Internet. But what are the implications for consumers if any of these devices was hacked? The reality is that there does not need to be a financial incentive for anyone to hack your systems or devices. We know this because many computer hackers will hack a system just for the sheer thrill of it.