Towards Securing Smart Homes: A Systematic Literature Review of Malware Detection Techniques and Recommended Prevention Approach

The exponential growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) sector has resulted in a surge of interconnected gadgets in smart households, thus exposing them to new cyber-attack susceptibilities. This systematic literature review investigates machine learning methodologies for detecting malware in smart homes, with a specific emphasis on identifying common threats such as denial-of-service attacks, phishing efforts, and zero-day vulnerabilities. By examining 56 publications published from 2019 to 2023, this analysis uncovers that users are the weakest link and that there is a possibility of attackers disrupting home automation systems, stealing confidential information, or causing physical harm. Machine learning approaches, namely, deep learning and ensemble approaches, are emerging as effective tools for detecting malware. In addition, this analysis highlights prevention techniques, such as early threat detection systems, intrusion detection systems, and robust authentication procedures, as crucial measures for improving smart home security. This study offers significant insights for academics and practitioners aiming to protect smart home settings from growing cybersecurity threats by summarizing the existing knowledge.