What is IoT phishing?

IoT phishing occurs when attackers use connected devices (or messages pretending to come from them) as part of a social engineering attack. Instead of a typical “email from IT,” the bait may look like a security alert from a smart device, router, medical device, or building system.

How does IoT phishing work?

According to the study Identifying and Mitigating Phishing Attack Threats in IoT Use Cases Using a Threat Modelling Approach, IoT phishing attacks in connected systems exploit both human trust and vulnerabilities in IoT ecosystem components. These tactics are used to deceive users or systems into disclosing sensitive information or spreading harmful content. While conventional phishing typically uses deceptive emails or websites, IoT phishing often leverages legitimate-looking device communications to achieve similar ends. The mechanism of action is as follows:

Exploiting vulnerable IoT components

IoT environments, such as smart homes or autonomous systems, include multiple components (sensors, gateways, cloud services, and apps) that can contain design or implementation vulnerabilities. Attackers analyze these components for weaknesses that could lead to phishing-enabling threats, such as spoofing, information disclosure, or privilege escalation. These threats can be exploited to manipulate how information flows through the system or how devices communicate with users.

Spoofing and masquerading as IoT services

Once an adversary identifies a weak or insecure element, like a cloud service or device gateway, they can impersonate that service. For example:

• A spoofed cloud alert claiming a device requires a critical update
• A fake smart home notification asking the owner to “log in” for security maintenance

These messages look legitimate because they resemble real IoT system communication patterns, making it more likely a user will trust and follow them, such as by clicking a link or submitting credentials.

Information disclosure leading to credential theft

Many IoT components transmit data across zones, from the sensor, gateway, cloud, to the user. If an attacker can intercept or manipulate this data due to an information disclosure threat, they can collect sensitive information or redirect users to malicious endpoints. For instance, by capturing session tokens or account information, the attacker may generate phishing content that appears to come from the legitimate IoT system.

Crafting deceptive interfaces

An attacker who gains access or intercepts communication can embed malicious links within:

• Email schedules or alerts supposedly sent from IoT devices
• Device status dashboards
• Mobile app push notifications

These links may direct users to fake login pages that steal usernames and passwords. Since they resemble real IoT interfaces, users are more likely to be deceived.

Social engineering within IoT ecosystems

Even where technical attack vectors exist, phishing ultimately depends on social engineering. Attackers design their fake communications to exploit trust in the IoT device brand or service and prompt urgent action, such as “update your credentials,” “confirm device safety,” or “validate your account.” This mirrors classic phishing but is now contextualized within IoT systems.

Common sources of IoT phishing

IoT phishing attacks typically originate from trusted communication channels within the IoT ecosystem, which attackers exploit to appear legitimate. According to the above study, these sources span multiple layers of the IoT architecture, increasing both attack surface and credibility:

• Compromised IoT devices: Poorly secured IoT devices, often lacking strong authentication or regular patching, can be hijacked and used to send phishing messages or relay malicious content. Because these devices are already trusted within the network, phishing attempts originating from them are less likely to raise suspicion.
• IoT gateways and edge devices: Gateways act as intermediaries between sensors, devices, and cloud services. If compromised, they can be used to manipulate device alerts or inject phishing links into legitimate data flows, such as status updates or error notifications sent to users.
• Cloud-based IoT platforms: Centralized cloud services used for device management are a high-value target. Attackers who spoof or gain access to these platforms can distribute phishing messages at scale, impersonating official service providers or device vendors. The study identifies cloud components as critical trust zones frequently targeted by spoofing threats.
• Companion mobile and web applications: IoT systems often rely on companion apps or web dashboards. Attackers exploit weaknesses in these interfaces, or mimic them to deliver phishing prompts such as fake login pages, firmware update requests, or account verification notices.
• Email and notification services linked to IoT systems: Many IoT platforms send automated emails or push notifications for alerts, maintenance, or security issues. Attackers replicate these messages, leveraging familiar branding and language to trick users into disclosing credentials or clicking malicious links.

See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide (2025 Update)

How to defend against IoT phishing

Defending against IoT phishing requires a layered security approach that addresses both technical vulnerabilities in IoT architectures and human susceptibility to social engineering. The study emphasizes that phishing risks emerge across multiple IoT trust zones, making holistic defense essential. To defend against IoT phishing, you must:

• Enforce strong authentication and multi-factor authentication (MFA) on IoT devices, cloud dashboards, and companion apps to prevent spoofing and account takeover.
• Secure IoT communications using encryption to protect data exchanged between devices, gateways, and cloud services.
• Segment IoT devices from core networks to limit lateral movement if credentials are compromised.
• Use advanced email and message security to detect spoofed IoT alerts and malicious links before they reach users.
• Train users to verify IoT alerts through official dashboards rather than clicking links in emails or notifications.
• Apply threat modeling during system design to identify phishing-enabling risks early and reduce long-term exposure.

Read also: Best Practices for securing medical IoT devices

FAQS

What types of IoT devices are commonly targeted?

Common targets include smart cameras, routers, printers, medical devices, smart home systems, and industrial IoT equipment—especially those managed through cloud platforms.

Can IoT phishing lead to larger cyberattacks?

Yes. Stolen credentials or compromised devices can be used to gain broader network access, enabling data breaches, ransomware attacks, or unauthorized system control.

Do security updates eliminate IoT phishing risks?

While updates reduce technical vulnerabilities, IoT phishing primarily exploits human behavior, so training and verification processes remain essential.