Japan plans to hack into millions of its citizens’ connected devices

The Japanese government will try to hack into internet-connected devices in homes and offices around the country starting from next month as part of efforts to improve cybersecurity, NHK World-Japan reports.

First of its kind: The program, which could last for up to five years, was approved on Friday. It will be conducted by Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT). From mid-February, the institute will use default passwords and password dictionaries to try to break into about 200 million devices, starting with webcams and routers. When they successfully gain access to a device, the owner will be contacted and advised to improve security measures.

Olympic link: The survey is part of efforts to improve cybersecurity in the run-up to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, according to a communications ministry official.