tech

High-tech toilets vulnerable to hacking

20 Comments

If you are using one of those high-tech toilets Japan is famous for, and you notice the lid suddenly opening and closing automatically, unexpected and repeated flushes, you might thinks it is a perfect case of "conjuring," but in reality your high-tech toilet has been hacked.

Japan's most popular Satis smart toilet that can be controlled by a smartphone, is vulnerable to cyberattacks, warn security experts.

According to Trustwave, software security firm, the super advanced high-tech Satis toilet from LIXIL can be hacked by malicious pranksters by misusing the free Bluetooth app and creating very awkward moments.

The high-tech toilet is controlled through an android app called My Satis. The various hygienic features on offer are: it deodorizes the bathroom, plays music, dries you with warm air and has automatic flushing and bidet spray.

This toilet functions on instructions received through Bluetooth via the app. The pin code for all the models is hardwired to four zeros (0000) indicating it cannot be changed and reset and can be activated with any phone that has the My Satis app, reports BBC.

"An attacker could simply download the My Satis application and use it to cause the toilet to repeatedly flush, raising the water usage and therefore utility cost to its owner. Attackers could also cause the unit to unexpectedly open/close the lid, activate bidet or air-dry functions, causing discomfort or distress to the user," Trustwave said in a report.

With the limited range of Bluetooth, the toilet hacker who plans such activities will have to be located close to the toilet.

"It's easy to see how a practical joker might be able to trick his neighbors into thinking his toilet is possessed as it squirts water and blows warm air unexpectedly on their intended victim, but it's hard to imagine how serious hardened cybercriminals would be interested in this security hole. Although this vulnerability seems largely harmless, what's clear is that companies building household appliances need to have security in mind just as much as computer manufacturers," said security expert Graham Cluley.

© Akihabara News

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

20 Comments
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Crappy security...

It would be interesting to change the flush noise (sampled at 4khz, 4bits) by animal sounds or even a fog horn.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Why in the world would you need to be able to control your toilet from your smartphone??? I can understand them networking things like aircon/heating or your fridge for added convenience, but what possible added benefit could come from controlling your toilet via phone instead of the buttons already on it?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

doesn't sound like a hack, but rather it just works on any toilet?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The high-tech toilet is controlled through an android app called My Satis. The various hygienic features on offer are: it deodorizes the bathroom, plays music, dries you with warm air and has automatic flushing and bidet spray.

I don't have the time to play toilet app. on my smart phone. My toilet will always be off-line!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I appreciate the warm toilet seats in winter, when the room is otherwise usually about the same temperature as outdoors, but besides that I think the toilets are a little over the top and a touch too dainty for me. I always get a kick out of the toilets that have the massive control console on the side and then there's a remote within reaching distance as well. As for taking the time to hack a toilet.... hmmm...

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

hard wired password! That's Japan for you

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Smart Toilet???? whats wrong with people its just a toilet, why do you need such a complicated contraption when a seat and a sewage system is all you need. Not to mention that even a hole in the ground will surfice. AHHHHHHHHHH my toilets been hacked, they stole my poo data

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

This is only for the wildly expensive SATIS models. stick with the brilliant Toto brand and you can't go wrong. a warm, clean and itch free ringpiece every time.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

" but it's hard to imagine how serious hardened cybercriminals would be interested in this security hole."

Oh if you could only see the humour in that wording...

What ever happened to just pushing the buttons on the seat or the wall mounted remote?!?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

How much does it cost???****

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This is funny!!! I wanna download the software too! Time for toilet pranks!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

flushing the toilet with your cel phone & hacking someone's toilet. now i believe i've heard it all .

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Attackers could also cause the unit to unexpectedly open/close the lid, activate bidet or air-dry functions, causing discomfort or distress to the user,” Trustwave said in a report.

Yes I could imagine one would be quite distressed at this...but oh what fun you could have with a mobile and app!

Sh$ts and giggles

0 ( +1 / -1 )

they can turn up the heat of the water jet that shoots up your arse..........ummmm , interesting

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Given how many features the high tech toilets have I could imagine the bidet being turned on at inopportune times....but, honestly, who would even think about hacking a toilet? Mind in the gutter, I guess.

I wonder if this thing talks?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

guys... don't like it, find yourself a tree ;-p

0 ( +0 / -0 )

As true Americans we don't believe in using high tech in our latrines, for we have the right to use low tech devices . You want music in your bathrooms; get a radio to play your favorite music. You want your bathrooms to smell fresh and clean; stop being a wimp and inhale the methane. I have the right to clean myself with large quantities of soft quilted paper, sold the single role of the family pack of 1,000. Toilet paper gives trees purpose, for if they were not cut down and used for such; they would have no purpose what so ever. Manual flush is the way it should always be. Life, liberty and the pursuit of the American Standard Way.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

This has put the shits up me. Where am I gonna read my newspaper from now on?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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