Another day, another botnet. This time it is targeting digital video recorders. Specifically TBK DVR devices. The news feels familiar because it is. The Mirai botnet keeps evolving. Researchers at Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 spotted a new variant called V3G4. It exploits a known command injection flaw. That technical term means attackers can sneak malicious commands into the device through unsecured communication channels.
The vulnerability lives in the login function. When devices try to authenticate, attackers inject their own code. The device then downloads malware from attacker-controlled servers. Suddenly your security camera becomes part of a botnet army. These compromised devices get used for distributed denial-of-service attacks. They flood websites or networks with traffic until they collapse.
What strikes me is how old this vulnerability is. We are talking about CVE-2018-9995. It was first discovered years ago. Yet unpatched devices remain exposed. Manufacturers moved on. Consumers forgot. But attackers remember. They scan the internet constantly for these forgotten vulnerabilities.
This is not just a Western problem. IoT device adoption grows fastest across Africa and Asia. In Nairobi, I have seen security cameras in small shops. In Lagos, they monitor apartment buildings. Cheaper devices often mean weaker security. The botnet does not care about geography. An unprotected device in Johannesburg becomes as useful to attackers as one in New York.
So what can you actually do? First, check if you own TBK DVR devices. Look at the brand and model number. If you do, disconnect them from the internet immediately. Visit the manufacturer’s website for firmware updates. If no updates exist, replace the device. I know that sounds harsh, but an compromised camera undermines your security instead of enhancing it.
For all IoT devices, change default credentials immediately. Use strong unique passwords. Segment your network. Put cameras and smart devices on a separate Wi-Fi network from your computers and phones. Monitor network traffic. Look for unusual outbound connections. Tools like Fing or Wireshark help spot suspicious activity.
The pattern repeats because incentives remain misaligned. Manufacturers want cheap functional devices. Consumers want affordability. Security becomes an afterthought. Until your device starts attacking others. We need collective pressure for better standards. When buying devices, prioritize companies with active security updates. Support regulations requiring minimum security lifetimes for connected devices.
Botnets like Mirai will keep adapting. Our defense must be consistent vigilance. Not dramatic gestures, but regular patching. Not complex systems, but basic password hygiene. The front line is not some fortified data center. It is that camera watching your driveway. Secure it properly.
