Google Nest Thermostat (3rd Generation)

Security Grade

Calculator v1

   Brand: Google (Parent: Alphabet Inc.)

   Category: Smart Thermostat / Home Climate Control • Model / Gen: 3rd Generation Nest Thermostat 3rd Gen

   Release Date: 2015-09-01 • Status: End of sale

   Classification Date: 2026-11-01 • Official Website

Security Evaluation

Criterion	Value	Proof	Comment
Known hardware tampering	Rare	🔗 Proof	Thermostat mounted on wall and can be removed from base with simple tools. Has tamper sensor that alerts user if detached.
Known vulnerabilities	Rare	🔗 Proof	Some security research has identified potential issues, but Google actively patches vulnerabilities quickly.
Prior attacks	None	🔗 Proof	Thermostats have not been used in any large-scale botnet or malware campaigns.
Updatability	Very common	🔗 Proof	Google pushes automatic OTA firmware updates to Nest devices. Updates installed automatically.
Category Score	Score: 2 / 3

Criterion	Value	Proof	Comment
Authentication with other systems	Full	🔗 Proof	Device communicates with Google cloud services using strong authentication tied to user's Google account.
Communications	Encrypted with up-to-date encryption	🔗 Proof	All communications between thermostat and Google services use modern TLS encryption.
Storage	Encrypted with obselete encryption	🔗 Proof	Device stores limited user data and schedule information. Local storage encryption implementation has not been fully publicly documented.
Category Score	Score: 2 / 3

Criterion	Value	Proof	Comment
Account management	Full	🔗 Proof	Google account provides full management. Nest app supports multiple users and home members with granular permissions.
Authentication	Secure	🔗 Proof	Google account supports two-factor authentication. Login protected by Google's advanced security infrastructure.
Brute-force protection	Exist	🔗 Proof	Google has industry-leading brute-force detection and account protection mechanisms.
Event logging	Partial logging	🔗 Proof	Temperature change history is available, but detailed security event logs and access history are not exposed to end users.
Passwords	Require change after setup with complexity requirements	🔗 Proof	Google accounts require strong passwords with complexity requirements. 2FA is strongly recommended and increasingly enforced.
Category Score	Score: 2 / 3

Property	Details
Operating System & App	(Companion App: Google Home / Nest App)
Hardware (CPU / GPU)	CPU: • GPU:
Memory & Storage	Memory: • Storage:
Power, Battery & Charging	Battery: • Power: • Charging:
Display & Camera	Display: • Camera:
Sound & Connectivity	Sound: • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, 802.15.4 (Thread)
Physical (Dimensions & Mass)	Dimensions: • Mass: