A security expert just demonstrated a terrifying new hacking method. And then they proved that a seemingly safe device, the Amazon Kindle, can be used to completely hijack your full Amazon account, credit card and all.
Kindles are super popular, which is the thing. This makes them a prime target for hackers who use them as a pathway to access your main Amazon account.
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The Malicious eBook Attack
For a long time, people thought Kindles were secure, but security threats evolve.
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The Weapon: The attack uses a malicious e-Book. This is just like how dangerous fake apps can attack an Android phone, or nothing.
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The Pathway: The analyst from Thales demonstrated how they exploited a security flaw by sideloading this malicious e-Book onto the Kindle.
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The Result: The malicious e-Book was able to extract the right codes to take full control of the Kindle. And then that control extended to the entire Amazon account linked to the device.
Here’s the kicker: once the hacker gets in, they can do some serious damage. The analyst was able to execute tasks like using the signed-in credit card to buy more e-books and, with full Amazon access, they could potentially shop incessantly or do a lot more damage, let’s be real.
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Sideloading: The Big Risk
The malicious code was routed onto the Kindle using the sideloading method for e-Books. Sideloading—putting an e-Book on your device from a source other than the official Amazon store—has always been a risk factor, even if many users advocate for its support. It provides the perfect loophole for an infected file to bypass Amazon’s standard security checks.
How to Stay Safe
The good news is that the security issues related to the Kindle demonstrated by the expert have reportedly been patched. But similar risks will likely show up again.
To stay safe, experts advise the same practice as with smartphones:
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Be Mindful of the Source: Be thorough about the book title and its source before downloading and sideloading it onto your Kindle.
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Avoid Unknown Files: Treat e-Books from unknown or unverified sources just like you would avoid installing a suspicious app from an unknown source on your phone.
That demonstration is a huge reminder for everyone to be mindful of these attacks, even on devices that feel safe and simple.
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