$1500 Smart Gun Hacked Using $15 Magnets

It has been revealed that a $1500 smart gun, intended to reduce gun crime, has been developed with a huge flaw, which can be exposed by cheap magnets. The vulnerability could allow a hacker to exploit a number of its features including being able to override the security software.

Commenting on the news is Cesare Garlati, chief security strategist at the prpl Foundation: "This so-called “smart gun” is far from being smart. The fact that the security feature could be so easily manipulated is evidence that security was an afterthought for this device. This latest case is yet another example of how connected devices, praised for convenience and connectivity, lack one key component: security.

"In order for something so dangerous to go to market, it definitely needs implementation of stronger security controls, otherwise it poses a serious risk to human lives. Industry, chipmakers, regulators and governments all need to work together to resolve these issues and improve standards, especially with so many vulnerable connected devices, the risks are forever mounting.

"With the security scares of late involving IoT, the mission at the prpl Foundation  is to make all these parties, particularly those putting products to market, work to the mindset that “if it’s not secure, it doesn’t work."