Evolution of Malware Targeting IoT Devices and Botnet formation

The increased internet of things (IoTs) devices has changed the digital environments making many interconnectivity available in different industries. Nevertheless, an emerging menace of malwares directed towards IoT devices that in turn build up botnets is a serious obstruction towards inter-related complexes security. However, this research is aimed at providing an overall understanding of the challenges associated with IoT security, covering various aspects that are crucial in this area. It starts by closely reviewing the history of IoT malware from their genesis to modern day menaces. The paper explores different ways that malware uses to infect IoT devices with security holes in their firmware, authentication, and messaging. It includes the specific IoT exploits regarding those distinctive features, such as low resources and variety of the IoT architecture. IoT botnets is one element in the research that explains what it is and what makes it different from conventional bot networks. Different motives for establishing the botnets are explored with some of the purposes being launching a DDoS attack or performing cryptocurrency mining. Cases are also given on some major IoT botnet attacks with emphasis on their techniques and impact. The study recommends powerful detection measures such as behavior analysis, signatures and using machine-based learning techniques to fight against the growing wave of cyber-attacks against the Internet of Things. A set of mitigation strategies is described stressing on device authentication, secure software update, physical separation, and coalition defense technique. This paper explores resource limitations in IoT devices, privacy issues in detection methods and roles of regulation and standards for IoT security. Lightweight security mechanisms for future threats of IoT.