Bad vibes: Researcher hacks sex toy

Researchers demonstrated how internet of things (IoT) devices could leave users vulnerable in a very intimate way by hacking into an adult toy at the CeBIT technology fair in Hanover, Germany.

During a press conference at the show, Trend Micro Security Evangelist Udo Schneider placed a “large, neon-pink vibrator” on a table in front of him and brought the device to life by entering a few lines of code into his laptop, Reuters reported.  

Despite provoking giggles from the crowd, researchers said the stunt was meant to display some of the risks inherent in IoT devices if manufacturers don't make cybersecurity a priority. Schneider said he controlled the toy via its Bluetooth connection.

Trend Micro's CTO Raimund Genes said, "if I hack a vibrator it's just fun. But if I can get to the back-end, I can blackmail the manufacturer."

Schneider told SCMagazine.com via emailed comments Wednesday there is no way to obtain information on the device's owner through this hack.