Theses and Dissertations Collection

A smart home is one of the most popular Internet of Things (IoT) implementations. It is widely used because of the autonomous functions it provides to homeowners. It is equipped with smart IoT devices designed to automatically perform unique and specific functions. The IoT smart home network has different types of connections based on the application’s requirements. Any attacks or unauthorized access to IoT smart home systems or connected devices could harm the system and lead to unauthorized access to the homeowner’s information. Therefore, IoT smart home devices' security, privacy, and firmware vulnerabilities are getting more attention from researchers because of the danger that comes from attacking such devices that collect personal information about an individual’s lifestyle and behavior. This research aims to provide an IoT labeling system that covers the IoT smart home devices' security, privacy, and firmware factors. This label will target the Saudi Arabian market. The label will help IoT smart home device consumers make better decisions on which device to purchase and increase their awareness of the attacks and, therefore, use the devices more safely. Based on a review of the literature on IoT smart home devices’ security, privacy, and firmware aspects, a data collection and analysis process are used to demonstrate the importance of the factors on the label. A scoring system is designed to provide a weight for all chosen factors. An online survey is conducted and distributed among computer science and security experts, regular IoT consumers, risk management and communication, and label designers across Saudi Arabia and the United States to develop a better labeling system for the devices. This survey produces the best quality of the IoT smart home device’s security, privacy, and firmware label. The proposed label is expected to help the IoT smart home device’s consumers be educated and aware of the potential issues associated with the smart home devices, hence protecting them from being a victim of many problems and attacks when using the devices.