In his demonstration at the convention, Shalev left the audience amazed by actually hacking a computer with a toaster. Shalev, who is a security expert at Check Point Software Technologies in Israel, was one of the foreign speakers at the international convention.

He said that any home device could be connected with a software prototype to hack a computer. “I read a senior scientist from Google saying there was no need to be afraid of a toaster at home,” Shalev told The Indian Express. “But as a hacker I came up with a toaster that could actually hack a computer. I call it a ‘Crazy Toaster’.”

Simplifying the functions of ‘Crazy Toaster,’ Shavel said he developed a software and networked it with the toaster.

“As soon as the toaster is plugged, the software is activated before it breaks into the user’s computer system. The same software prototype can be networked with any home appliance for stealing the web secrets,” he said. “With wireless technology available, there is no need for connecting the appliance with the computer.”

Shalev said he just wanted to convey that one couldn’t blindly trust “anything” in the world of internet. “As the usage of computers and internet goes up, we will need to be cautious about every object in our surroundings,” he said, suggesting people purchase home appliances of branded companies. “If an appliance or home device comes as a gift, accept it only if it is from someone you trust.”

Shalev also said people should believe in ethical hackers like him, who were doing constructive work for security firms, and doing work just for the love of programming and not for money. “Hackers play a crucial role in developing a good product and save millions of dollars by ensuring that precious databases and information are not compromised.”