Many people want to protect their work computers and financial data from prying eyes and take steps to increase security — but they also forget keep hackers at bay when it comes to their smart home devices.
With so many people now owning these types of interconnected products, hackers are increasingly targeting homes, seeing them as a way to break into networks and other systems. Therefore, it is important that you take steps protect your internet-enabled gadgets Today.
Read on for some simple but effective tips you can follow.
Choose a Good Brand
For starters, it’s a good idea to choose a brand known for its security when you buy smart home products. With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to get attracted to the most affordable brands on the market. However, you should consider security as a top priority.
Trusted brands that have been around for a while tend to have a reputation for better safety. They are usually more serious when it comes to product development and manufacturing and updates over time.
Change ID Name and Password
Once you’ve chosen your gadget, it’s time to set it up at home. Before you jump right into it, don’t forget to make some changes. That is, make sure you change the ID name and password that are automatically installed on the item.
Manufacturers ship items with a default username and password, which they use across all of their products. Even though brands include instructions in their user guides on how consumers can change settings on the device, many people don’t bother reading the instructions or performing updates.
This is something that hackers know about (it’s common knowledge, and it’s featured on forums, brand websites, and the like) and use it to their advantage. When they see the default username, they think you’ll have the same password that came with the device, and they’ll determine your home and gadgets are vulnerable. You need to update these settings ASAP if you want to stay on the radar of cybercriminals.
Secure Your Home Wi-Fi
Likewise, it is important to secure your home wi-fi so that hackers cannot attack your gadgets through your network. Since smart home items use the internet to complete their functions, hackers can access your devices through unsecured wireless networks.
To stay safe, enter a complex username and password on your modem. The username you choose cannot be your name, children’s names, pet names, birthdays, or related to any other information about you that hackers might find online.
Also, your password must be at least eight characters long and consist of a mixture of symbols, numbers, and upper and lower case letters.
Protect Your Computer
You need to think about protecting all the computers you use to control your smart home devices. Cybercriminals can hack into your computer if they are not secure and then find their way into your smart home products in turn. From your computer, hackers can turn off your security camera and/or home alarm system and even unlock your front or garage door, if everything is connected to the internet.
To stay safer, install maximum security protection to your computer. A comprehensive product will protect you from viruses, spam, spyware, ransomware and all types of malware. Also look for an established and trusted name in security.
Firewalls are another important line of defense. They are very helpful in stopping hackers from attacking through internet connection. However, before you go out and buy a product, check your computer settings.
Many manufacturers preload firewalls as firmware, but your firewall may not be enabled. You may need to change your computer’s security settings before installing additional security systems.
Update Software Regularly
Finally, don’t forget to update all of your software, plus firmware and drivers, as time goes on. Updates are provided by product manufacturers to close security holes that may open from time to time and that hackers can use as a means of gaining access.
Because of this, you should set everything to update automatically, so you’re always as protected as possible. With the right mindset and behavior — and the right devices and software — you can have a smart home and enjoy it too.
