PRESS

Hackread – Exploitable Vulnerability in Softbank’s NAO and Pepper Robots Leads to Ransomware Infection. According to the findings of security firm IOActive Labs, there is a vulnerability in Softbank Robotics’ NAO and Pepper robots that can lead to devastating ransomware attacks by causing robots deployed at workplaces to stop working.

www.V3.co.uk – Pepper, an annoyingly chirpy robot, has been infected by malware in proof of concept by security company IOActive. In a paper entitled “Robots Want Bitcoins Too!”, shows how robots like Pepper and NAO, both commercially available and both made by Softbank, can be compromised by malware – even ransomware.

CIO Dive – Robots have an increased presence in everyday technology and hackers could take note. In 2017, IOActive found about 50 flaws in robots from varying vendors. Hackers could exploit those vulnerabilities to spy through a robot’s microphone or camera, steal data or even cause “physical harm,” according to the report.

The Inquirer – IF BEING possessed by a manic Amazon Echo has got you freaked out – don’t worry, the humans are fighting back. This week saw the first demonstration of Pepper, the annoyingly chirpy robot, being infected with malware in a proof of concept.

ComputerWeekly.com – Researchers have carried out a ransomware attack on robots to show that such attacks are possible and should be guarded against. Security services firm IOActive has warned that tens of thousands of robots are a threat to human safety after its researchers were able to carry out a ransomware attack against two top brands.