Poorly protected internet protocol television devices, better know as 'dodgy boxes', can open the door of your home to cybercriminals. Photograph; iStockSmart home devices and so-called “dodgy boxes” that can connect to the internet are at risk of being hijacked and used to facilitate large cyberattacks, a new report warns. These attacks operate by overwhelming a target with traffic from multiple compromised devices in a way that means normal users cannot access the service. “Many people don’t realise that a low-cost Android TV box in their sittingroom or a cheap smart light bulb can be compromised in seconds,” said Shortt. He warns that the risk extends beyond TV devices “with low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets increasingly being used in Irish households, many with minimal security”.

Source: The Irish Times February 09, 2026 13:42 UTC