3.2.1. Impersonation Attack

Each device's status—ON/OFF—is saved in the SM memory. Every 15 min the appliance sends its consumption to the SM. If an appliance is compromised and impersonates another device, this can result in a false reading for a time period unless it is detected and recovered, for example, if AC is switched ON and impersonates a fan or light bulb and vice versa, then it has a huge impact on power billing [53]. Even if an appliance impersonates itself as the SM and requests that the other appliances send consumption reports every 15 min, the result could be dangerous and can lead to some disaster or might lead to electricity theft [54].
