The world is becoming increasingly connected—not just people but objects, devices, and machines. They’re getting chattier, too. Your fridge can remind you to buy milk, your car might schedule its MOT, and your smartwatch knows when you’ve missed a workout. We’re increasingly living in the Internet of Things (IoT), a vast “universe” of interconnected devices that share data with each other and us. It promises to make our lives smarter and smoother, but (let’s be honest) it sounds a little eerie. How does it work, and why should you even care? Let’s open the door, head on in (and look out for talking hairbrushes).
What is the Internet of Things?
Forget (the movie) Back to the Future. Is the world now talking back? In a sense, yes. At its core, the Internet of Things or IoT is about everyday objects becoming “smart” by being connected to the internet and each other. This includes everything from smart home devices like thermostats that adjust based on your schedule to wearables that track your heartbeat and other vitals. However, its reach extends far beyond our homes. IoT has the potential to revolutionise industries, with diverse use cases ranging from healthcare with smart pacemakers to automated irrigation systems in agriculture and even cities through intelligent traffic and waste management, as well as the more efficient use of energy. This brave new world is a welcoming place: Any object with sensors, a means to communicate, and the ability to process data can obtain “citizenship” within the IoT ecosystem. And it’s expanding quickly as companies race to add sensors and internet connectivity to all types of items, giving birth to some wonderful but also whacky creations. Exciting and innovative or unnerving and silly? It’s probably all of that, but you decide.
There’s a baby onesie that provides caregivers with information on the child’s breathing, heart rate, sleeping habits, and temperature. A clever egg minder uses LED lights to determine which eggs in your smart tray are nearing expiry. Don’t forget the smart hairbrush that can analyse brushing patterns and has a microphone to detect breaking hair. And if you think it’s all rubbish, perhaps you’ll love the smart bin which can keep track of what you throw away, so you know what to buy next.
A brief history of everything (about IoT)
Bold as it is, the idea of machines communicating isn’t new and machine-to-machine (M2M) systems have existed for well over a century. Think of the basic first data transmission systems used by the Russian army in 1845 or the GSM data connectivity on Siemens mobile phones in 1995. The Internet of Things didn’t burst through the door; it was the carefully honed result as various technologies evolved. IoT wasn’t named as a concept until 1999, although a chatty Coca-Cola machine at Carnegie Mellon University in the US in the early ’80s fulfilled the criteria of being the first smart device. Local programmers would connect through the Internet to the appliance to check if a drink was available (and cold) before heading out to the machine.
Kevin Ashton, MIT’s Executive Director of Auto-ID Labs, is considered the founding father of IoT. He was the first to describe it and coined the phrase while presenting to Procter & Gamble. The definition has evolved, but here is an excerpt from his vision: “If we had computers that knew everything there was to know about things, using data they gathered without any help from us, we would be able to track and count everything and greatly reduce waste, loss, and cost. We would know when things needed replacing, repairing, or recalling and whether they were fresh, or past their best.”
Ashton believed that Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) was a prerequisite for the Internet of Things but saw it as an inventory-tracking solution that used devices tagged through technology like digital watermarking, barcodes, and QR codes. Suddenly, Walmart and the US Department of Defense were interested and in 2002-2003 became the first large organisations to embrace Ashton’s model of tracking inventory using tagging, RFID, and the Internet of Things. In 2011, the first smart device knocked at our doors—literally—and brought IoT home. The Ring doorbell, initially named DoorBot, links to your smartphone and signals you when the doorbell is pressed. Not to be outdone, tech giants like Apple and Microsoft threw their weight behind the idea and suddenly we had smart thermostats, lighting, and more. The future of IoT looked bright indeed.
In 2012, cloud computing went mainstream, giving IoT the infrastructure to store, process, and analyse the enormous volumes of data generated by connected devices. It seemed nothing could stop its rise…and then the internet threatened to run out of IP addresses. Thankfully, along came IPv6, which gifted the world with a seemingly infinite number of internet addresses (340 undecillion, to be more precise) and nearly endlessly expanded the frontiers of IoT. Steve Leibson of the Computer History Museum took a shot at explaining the extraordinary new numbers that mere humans were suddenly grappling with: “So we could assign an IPv6 address to EVERY ATOM ON THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH, and still have enough addresses left to do another 100+ earths.”
IoT became more ambitious and set its sights on transforming the infrastructures of entire cities. Switzerland introduced a pilot programme called Smart City Switzerland, which forged new scientific partnerships and innovation. From smart buildings to smart parking, public lighting and transport, everything promises to become more efficient in a connected city that supports all kinds of sensors. Wireless technologies, widespread and high-speed internet and cheaper manufacturing are making the latest evolution of M2M more accessible. And it’s not slowing down. IoT will continue to revolutionise homes, societies and industries, probably in ways we can’t even imagine (yet).
How does IoT work?
In a nutshell, IoT operates via a structured process. IoT devices have specific hardware (usually some sensor) that collects and tracks data from the environment. This data is then transmitted via the internet, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi to cloud platforms, where it’s stored and analysed by software before being transmitted to users via an app or a website. The support software that connects everything within an IoT system is called an IoT platform, and there are hundreds of these platforms (including by industry giants like IBM, Amazon, Oracle, and Microsoft).
This information gives the device or user actionable insight. Not at home? Your smart thermostat can lower the heat. Fancy a packet of crisps? Smart vending machines monitor their inventory and send an alert if it’s time for restocking. And it’s not always about our comfort and convenience—machines that report back can be essential to our safety. Remember the nuclear facility where the hapless Homer Simpson works? How much safer would it be with machines that automatically alert maintenance teams if they need repairs? Fundamentally, IoT is based on a continuous cycle of sensing, gathering, transmitting, processing, and acting. These connected devices need minimal human intervention to do their jobs of optimising our lives and they can be controlled remotely too. Kevin Ashton (“…using data they gathered without any help from us…”) would be proud.
Remember that almost any item or device can become “smart” if it has the means to connect to the internet and communicate with other devices over the cloud. If you add a sensor to a washing machine, refrigerator, or even a hair dryer, it can become part of the IoT “family.” No other special talents are required.
Why is the Internet of Things like a nervous system?
When you hear “IoT” you might imagine vast tendrils of energy zooming across screens and around the planet. Hang onto that thought. Here’s an analogy that can be helpful: Your brain relies on nerves to send signals to your hands, feet, and organs; IoT uses networks to connect smart devices. In this way, the Internet of Things is like the human nervous system—it connects different parts of a more extensive system, allowing them to communicate and respond to information in real-time.
For example, when you touch something hot, your nerves instantly tell your brain, and your hand pulls away. If a smart smoke detector senses fire, it triggers an alarm, alerts your phone, and even tells the smart sprinkler system to get to work.
Speaking of sensors, it’s important to remember that location is vital. Imagine if your tastebuds were in your elbow. You’d say goodbye to the joys of eating. Similarly, IoT devices must key into the correct data they’re trying to collect. They won’t be helpful if they’re facing the wrong direction or are in the wrong place (or aren’t working correctly). Like in the nervous system, transmission quality is everything. No one wants a malfunctioning baby monitor—or numb toes.
What technologies drive the Internet of Things?
Let’s explore the key technologies that, together, make up IoT ecosystems:
- Sensors:Sensors collect data from the physical world and measure things like temperature, humidity, light, motion, and sound.
- Connectivity technologies: IoT devices must be connected to the Internet to transmit data to the cloud. Several types of connectivity technologies are used in IoT, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks, and low-power options like LoRaWAN.
- Cloud computing:IoT devices generate vast volumes of data that must be stored, processed, and analysed. Cloud computing platforms provide the necessary infrastructure and tools, and are also where IoT apps are built and deployed.
- Software:Specialised software collects, stores, and analyses the data collected by the IoT sensors. It also controls the devices, often remotely.
- Big data analytics:Data isn’t useful if it’s not organised and understood. That’s where advanced analytics tools, like machine learning algorithms, data visualisation tools and predictive analytics models come in. They help identify patterns and extract insight.
- Security and privacy technologies:As IoT becomes more widely deployed, it can represent a growing doorway for cybercriminals. Technologies like encryption, access controls, and intrusion detection help protect IoT devices, data, and users.
Home sweet smart home: What could IoT look like?
It can be difficult to imagine the impact of smart devices on our lives. What would it be like to live in a truly connected smart home—domestic bliss or sci-fi gone a step too far? You decide.
Instead of the shriek of an alarm, a smart home system could gently open your blinds, gradually switch on the lights and increase the room temperature. It might even play your favourite playlist. Thanks to your smart mattress, you may have slept better too as it tracks sleep quality and stages and helps regulate your temperature while you sleep. Now you’re up (and hopefully feeling rested and inspired), it’s time for your pre-warmed shower and automatically brewed coffee. Your coffee machine could have a sensor that detects movement as you stumble into the kitchen. While you eat breakfast, your virtual assistant reads details on the weather, traffic, news, and your to-do list.
The moment you step through the door in the evening, your home greets you with the perfect evening temperature, lighting, and entertainment options. You might even want to add commands, like pre-warming the oven to reheat the pizza you ordered via an automated food delivery.
What are the benefits of IoT?
It’s time to head out of the house again. The advantages of a smart, connected world extend across multiple sectors and organisations and reach countless lives daily. Here’s what IoT can achieve:
- Drive efficiency in business, logistics, and manufacturing
When IoT devices automate and optimise processes, businesses reap the benefits of greater efficiency and productivity. For example, IoT sensors can monitor equipment to resolve potential issues before they cause downtime. This predictive maintenance can cut costs and improve uptime. IoT also helps logistics and the supply chain with real-time tracking of shipments through GPS-enabled sensors, helping companies choose optimised routes by monitoring weather and traffic. - Enable data-driven decision-making
IoT devices generate a continuous stream of real-time data to help businesses make more informed decisions about their strategies, products, and resource allocation. They can gain deeper insight into operations, customer behaviour, market trends, and operational performance—that’s great news for budgets and business results. - Monitor and help improve human health
Do you have a smartwatch or fitness tracker? Interconnected sensors and devices can collect real-time health metrics like heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose, and activity levels. This allows people to be proactively monitored to detect potential health issues more quickly. Treatment plans can be personalised, and remote patients can be managed more effectively, helping improve health outcomes. There are patch-based ECG monitors, for example, and emerging technology in smart contact lenses that monitor glucose levels. - Help reduce costs
Automating repetitive tasks reduces manual intervention and potential errors, helping to reduce costs and drive efficiency and profitability. In schools and offices, IoT devices can monitor energy usage and optimise consumption by, for example, switching heating down or lights off if no movement is detected in a room. - Enhance the customer experience
Understanding customers helps businesses serve them better via more personalised and engaging experiences. Hanging about by the chocolate display again? Shops can use IoT sensors to track customer movements and deliver personalised offers based on their behaviour. Do you have a problem? IoT data can help customer service agents quickly identify the root cause of an issue. - Promote sustainability for a greener planet
Smart meters and connected devices in buildings can monitor energy consumption, adjusting lighting, heating, and cooling based on occupancy to reduce resource consumption. In smart cities, IoT sensors monitor air quality and traffic and optimise waste collection and water use. In agriculture, sensors monitor soil moisture, weather conditions, and crop health, allowing farmers to apply water and fertilizers more precisely for greater crop yields while reducing the environmental impact.
Are there risks within the Internet of Things?
Could your toaster be plotting against you? Is your washing machine whispering about you? The opportunities and applications seem endless…but IoT isn’t without risk. While a smart world is undeniably convenient, if it’s coupled with poor security, it could make you vulnerable to online threats and cybercriminals. A weak password or a forgotten software update, and your baby monitor could suddenly be broadcasting to the internet, or your smart doorbell helping strangers into your home. So, what can go wrong and why?
Security risks: An open door for hackers
Some IoT devices are designed for connectivity and convenience and scrimp on robust security. Most of us rigorously update our computers and smartphones (you don’t? Start now and don’t forget to update your drivers) but tend to forget devices like smart fridges. These are left languishing with weak and outdated security, making them an easy target for cybercriminals. Have you ever kept the default username and password on a device? Change it now. What about the age of your machines? You might have your kitchen appliances for 10 years or longer. Will the manufacturer keep your fridge safe with regular patches against the latest threats for all that time?
Hackers who exploit vulnerabilities can take over devices and steal our personal data, possibly resulting in identity theft. IoT systems are especially vulnerable to man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks, whereby attackers intercept and manipulate data as it’s transmitted between a device and the recipient. Cybercriminals might even launch large-scale denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against other systems. These turn innocent IoT devices into weapons against other networks. Has your kettle been recruited into an army of botnets to land a company in truly hot water?
Privacy risks: Who’s watching and listening?
IoT devices can also pose a significant privacy concern as they collect vast amounts of user data, from daily routines and home security footage to our personal health information. This information is stored on cloud servers, which are not immune to data breaches and unauthorised access. Here’s how to help protect your data in the cloud. Some IoT manufacturers sell user data to third parties, leading to targeted advertising and behavioural tracking. It’s almost impossible to truly know who has access to your data, and how it’s being used.
From cars to cardiac monitors, nothing is entirely beyond the reach of online threats. If you’re still feeling nonchalant, see this list of the worst examples of IoT hacking.
Help keep your online world safer with Avira
It’s essential to help safeguard your IoT network and all your connected devices—leaving an online loophole is no different from leaving a door or window to your home wide open. Consider a solution that offers multiple tools: Avira Free Security blends antivirus, a password manager, a software updater, a VPN for data encryption, and more. Protect all your devices with Free Security for Windows, the security solution for Mac, the security app for iOS devices, or the antivirus app for Android phones and tablets.
IoT is no longer the subject of dystopian novels—we’re surrounded by it. From intelligent homes to self-regulating factories and entire smart cities, the Internet of Things is already integrated into daily life. And as technology advances, it will weave an even more interconnected web and become indispensable. The question isn’t whether you’ll use IoT but how much of your life it will optimise and regulate. You will start chatting to your fridge.