B4R Question ESP8266 WiFi Security

[positrom2]

I am just reading an article that a webcam (from Chinese manufacturer) became part of an IOT Botnetz within minutes after being connected.
https://www.heise.de/security/meldu...ion-IoT-Botnetz-im-Selbstversuch-3494168.html
I was wondering if the various ESP8266 Wifi capabilities (or which of those, maybe someone could explain) are safe to use.
Isn't it that the virgin ESP creates an open network once powered up?

 

[Erel]

Isn't it that the virgin ESP creates an open network once powered up?

Yes. However
1. It is not connected to the Internet.
2. You can disable it if you like.
3. Even if someone connects to this network they will not be able to control the ESP.

 

[positrom2]

Thank you.
I was wondering if flooding the world with these cheap devices would be a chance to spy on those mostly unexperienced users....