How did researchers hack into a smart home?

The “lock-pick” malware app was one of four tools that granted cybersecurity researchers from the University of Michigan illicit entry into Samsung’s SmartThings system.

"At least today, with the one public IoT software platform we looked at, which has been around for several years, there are significant design vulnerabilities from a security perspective," said Atul Prakash, one of the project researchers. "I would say it's okay to use as a hobby right now, but I wouldn't use it where security is paramount."

In a video, the researchers demonstrated how a hacker could unlock the front door of a home equipped with such a “smart home” system.