Which? said households have at least 10 connected devices on -average and could be - at risk of more than 12,000 attacks in just a matter of days. Computing editor Kate Bevan said: “While smart home gadgets and devices can bring huge benefits to our lives, consumers should be aware some of these appliances are vulnerable to hackers and offer little or no security.” The consumer champion set up a fake home and filled it with connected products bought from online marketplaces. They ranged from smart TVs, printers and wireless security -cameras to wifi kettles.

       Researchers then connected these to the internet to expose them to online threats and malware created by criminals.

       Working with security specialists NCC Group and the Global Cyber Alliance, Which? reported 1,017 unique scans – a -technique used to locate online devices, which is a potential gateway used by hackers, or through attempted “break-ins” from around the world in just the first week of testing.

       Researchers believed at least 66 of these were for malicious purposes. In the busiest week, the number of unique scans rose to 12,807.

       Which? said the basic security protections in the devices were able to block the attacks but that was not always the case.

       Kate added: “There are a number of steps people can take to better protect their home, but hackers are increasingly -sophisticated.

       “Proposed laws to tackle devices with poor security can’t come soon enough. They must be backed by strong enforcement.”

       Most “hacking traffic” originated from the US, India, Russia, the Netherlands and China.

       Researchers found spikes of activity between 9am and 6pm, when people will be using their devices for work.

       Which? wants retailers to face additional obligations in ensuring the safety and security of the smart products they sell.