Home IoT Devices Targeted for Malicious Proxy Traffic
New findings show hackers are exploiting patchable firmware flaws to hijack smart home hardware for global cyberattacks.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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Bitdefender and Netgear have released a report detailing how cybercriminals are exploiting home IoT devices as residential proxies. The analysis indicates that nearly all identified vulnerabilities are known flaws for which security patches are already available.
Why it matters
Home IoT devices remain reliable, always-on targets for hackers because they are rarely monitored and frequently left unpatched. This trend threatens to turn common consumer hardware into relay points for broader attacks on enterprise networks.
Nearly half of the identified CVEs carry a 7.8 severity score, while roughly one-fifth of observed flaws cause denial-of-service or memory-corruption. Over 50% of the vulnerabilities expose devices to overflow errors, demonstrating a high reliance on common, patchable exploits.
The players
Bitdefender
A cybersecurity firm specializing in threat intelligence, antivirus software, and network security solutions.
Netgear
A networking hardware company known for home routers, smart home systems, and network-attached storage devices.
The details
Hackers gain unauthorized access to home networks by targeting known firmware vulnerabilities that manufacturers have already patched. Once compromised, these devices are repurposed as residential proxies—intermediary servers that mask malicious traffic to facilitate further cyberattacks. These devices are attractive to attackers because they offer persistent uptime and lack the active monitoring found in enterprise-grade security environments.
Timeline
October 28, 2026: Bitdefender and Netgear published their security findings.
The Tech Race
The report highlights that the shift toward using home devices as residential proxies represents a change in tactics from the widespread botnets of the past. As firmware and hardware are increasingly shared across vendors, security experts expect more disclosures of vulnerabilities affecting multiple brands simultaneously.
Users can mitigate these risks by ensuring all home smart devices are updated to the latest available manufacturer firmware. Given that virtually all exploited flaws have existing patches, routine software maintenance is the primary defense against having personal hardware co-opted.
The takeaway
Home IoT hardware is becoming a tactical asset for attackers, reinforcing the need for automated patching policies on all network-connected appliances. Monitor your router and device logs for unusual traffic patterns to help identify if your hardware has been co-opted as a proxy.
Further reading
For broader trends in hardware security and exploit prevention, visit our Cybersecurity section.
Live Poll
Do you trust that your home's connected devices are secure from outside hacking attempts?
