Faith-based Internet of Things

2.  The Internet began in 1969 with the exchange of a
simple message between two computers. Since
then, the Internet has grown rapidly, connecting
people to other people and to electronic resources
around the world. More recently, a wide variety of
devices have begun to be attached to the Internet
including household appliances, vehicles, factories,
smart homes and personal health monitors. This new
network of machines has been coined the “Internet
of Things.”

3.  The Internet of Things opens up a vast array of nifty
new possibilities: cars that can report engine
performance to your mechanic, personal health
monitors that send data to your physician,
environmental monitoring of air, water and soil,
coordinating traffic and alerts about road conditions,
and “smart homes.” One example of a smart home
device is the “smart refrigerator,” which keeps your
food cool but also monitors the food inside, tracking
best-before dates and reminding you to pick up milk
and bread on the way home.

4.  However, while smart and connected devices provide
convenience and other benefits, they come with a variety
of security and privacy concerns. Just like your personal
computer, Internet-connected devices are vulnerable to
computer viruses and attacks. One security report
identified potential vulnerabilities in smart fridges. Some
articles have described how cars can be remotely hacked
to gain control of brakes, door locks, steering and even
seat belts. Larger attacks could possibly target public
utilities such as power grids and water treatment plants.

5.  Other attacks may take control of household devices
(turning them into what are metaphorically called
“zombies”) and using them to attack other computers.
Large networks of “zombies” called “botnets” can be
collected and used to send spam e-mails or perform
“denial of service attacks” against other targets.
 What’s more, these devices are often compromised
without the knowledge of their owners. Many devices are
left vulnerable to such attacks because they have factory-
default passwords which people neglect to change, or
they are not properly updated or patched when security
holes are uncovered.

6.  The second concern relates to privacy. One can only
imagine how advertisers would love to know your
viewing habits along with the contents of your
fridge and the places you drive your car. Devices
equipped with cameras and microphones bring up
the creepy possibility of someone eavesdropping or
spying within your home.

7.  To avoid these issues, engineers and companies
developing smart devices should start with “security by
design” and take responsibility for security and privacy
rather than leaving it as an afterthought. Devices should
automatically manage security updates and not be
configured with default passwords. Manufacturers
should put the interests of their users first by minimizing
the data they collect, treating it securely, notifying users
about what information is collected, and providing choice
about what and how information is used. Finally,
consumers should have the choice to simply disconnect
their devices from the Internet.

8.  Generally, all of these aspects of concern are to
preserve human rights, privacy and confidentiality
which have been mentioned long ago in the Qur'an.
Allah, the Most Merciful has cited in the Qur'an the
shariah or standards for all human-beings to live
peacefully without harming others (security, privacy,
authority, ethics) and perform ibadah as khalifah.
Allah s.w.t says in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 30 that He
would create mankind to be the vicegerent:

9.  “Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a
vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place
therein one who will make mischief therein and shed
blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and
glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye
know not.”

10.  We all are grateful for the new possibilities wrought
by the Internet, but we will be more content if my
blender and toaster are not part of the Internet of
Things.