"Uncovering Vulnerabilities and Security Challenges in IoT Devices: A Comprehen-sive Investigation"

Abstract

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and the Internet of Things (IoT) have emerged as significant innovations, promising unmatched connection and ubiquitous data access across a wide range of applications. Their combination has resulted in a paradigm shift in how we perceive and interact with our surroundings. However, this rise in connectivity has created a new set of challenges, mostly centred on safeguarding the integrity of these interconnected systems.  The adoption of WSNs and IoT is due to their low cost, unsupervised operational abilities, and long-term autonomy. This integration has contributed to the convergence of sensor-driven data gathering and internet-enabled devices, resulting in a tremendous influx of data that can be accessed via the internet. Despite these developments, users and network managers are concerned about the inherent vulnerabilities and security flaws in these networks. The lack of a centralised security architecture in WSNs and IoT contributes to vulnerabilities, rendering these networks vulnerable to a broad spectrum of attacks. The need of ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of data (CIA) becomes crucial, especially in applications where these properties are critical. Aside from the previously mentioned problems, the complications imposed by the changing dynamics of IoT ecosystems and the enormous number of networked devices heighten security vulnerabilities. As these systems mature, new attack avenues emerge, emphasising the importance of thoroughly investigating potential vulnerabilities. This paper emphasises the importance of presenting an extensive examination of security threats, including both known and developing attacks on WSNs and IoT. Such an examination is required for categorising and comprehending distinct forms of attacks. Furthermore, it emphasises the need of tackling the complex issues provided by WSN-IoT integration, such as protecting communication protocols, managing large-scale networks, and maintaining data integrity across varied devices and platforms. Understanding those risks and protecting these interconnected systems against future attacks are critical to establishing trust, dependability, and mainstream acceptance of these significant technologies.