Smart homes are no longer a thing of the future but are a technology that is already very much with us, offering unparalleled convenience and comfort. However, with these advancements come potential risks, especially from cyber threats. While smart devices make our homes smarter, they also open the door to vulnerabilities if not properly secured. Here, we’ll explore how you can protect your smart home from cyber threats and enjoy the benefits of modern technology without the worry of being compromised.
Common Applications Of Smart Home Technology
Smart home technology continues to have expanded possibilities but here are some ways that consumers use smart home technology today.
- Remotely control lights and appliances using mobile devices.
- Manage home environments, like adjusting room temperature or setting lighting schemes.
- Play music or set reminders with ease.
- Automate tasks such as online shopping or scheduling alerts.
- How Your Smart Home Can Be A Security Risk
I failed to patch my smart thermostat with the latest security updates, so what? You may wonder. Well, the truth is, can exploit these small oversights to gain access to your Wi-Fi network and, potentially, your entire home. While you can be proud of your smart home being a futuristic wonder, you need to be aware of how the same smart devices can be turned against you.
Here are some ways:
- Unpatched Devices: Open ports, weak passwords, or outdated software in your smart devices can provide hackers with easy access to your personal information or financial accounts.
- Compromised Privacy: Hacked cameras or microphones can be used to spy on your private life, putting your privacy at serious risk. It can be awful to have your privacy exposed through a live camera on smart devices.
- Identity Theft: Breaching smart devices can give hackers access to sensitive personal data, including credit card information.
- Full Network Vulnerability: If just one device is compromised, your entire network could be at risk.
- Laser Attacks: Even smart speakers and microphones can be hacked using specialized tools like lasers.
- Security System Breaches: A simple smart plug could serve as a backdoor for hackers to disable your security system.
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How To Secure Your Smart Home Against Cyber Threats
The above security risks may make you hesitate to connect your home to the internet. However, with the right measures, you can enjoy the benefits of smart home devices while protecting yourself and your home from security risks.
Balance Your Needs and Privacy Concerns
With many smart home devices such as smart speakers, and video doorbells, you have to balance convenience with security and privacy levels that you’re comfortable with. You should understand that while a security camera offers protection, it may upload footage to the internet and that opens up a risk. Likewise, voice assistants such as Alexa may be so helpful but you may not be so comfortable with it listening to your commands at all times. After all, such voice assistants never sleep. So, be sure to consider the perks that come with smart home devices as well as the possible privacy and security risks.
Secure Your Wi-Fi Network
Your home Wi-Fi is the gateway to your smart home, so securing it is crucial. Use strong, unique passwords and ensure your network is protected with WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, the highest security protocols available. This will prevent hackers from gaining access to your connected devices.
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Regularly Update Firmware
Routers and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices usually have low-level software to power them which is referred to as firmware. In the first instance, you should access the firmware of your router and configure the settings as well as change the password. Then, you should register your smart devices with the manufacturers to help ensure that they get updated when they automatically refresh. This is because, upon connection to Wi-Fi, such connected devices can receive bug fixes and new features that their companies roll out over the internet.
Do note that certain devices nevertheless require you to choose the update button to get the latest updates and security patches. Otherwise, hackers may take advantage of the vulnerability of older and unpatched firmware versions to exploit flaws in them.
You also have the option of using the automatic upgrade settings of your device. But that may open up the risk of automatically downloading from third-party servers. You can always refer to sites like Amazon, Google, Ring, Arlo, and Wyze for information on checking and updating your firmware.
Upgrade old routers
Older routers are more likely to have older security protocols – which can in turn become easy access points for hackers. It is often more secure to have the latest home internet standard (Wi-Fi 7) and routers.
Use unique account passwords
You may hardly resist the tendency to use the same password for multiple accounts. For example, after securing your Wi-Fi network, you may use the same passwords for the accounts for individual smart devices on their respective mobile apps.
However, you would be opening yourself up to a major security risk if one of those accounts is breached. This would give the hackers access to every other account. You should therefore create unique passwords. You even have the option of using aids such as a random password generator and a password manager to make the process easier.
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Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
You can take the setup of strong and unique passwords a step further by using multi-factor authentication (MFA) on devices that allow it. This way, even if your password is compromised, hackers will find it difficult to access your account without providing another form of authentication.
Segment and split up your network
Certain devices are more sensitive than others. For example, your laptop may contain private and sensitive data, unlike your smart fridge. You can therefore keep devices such as your laptop and phone on a separate network from that for your fridge. In this way, hackers will be less likely to use an unsecured fridge as an access point into your wireless network and onto your laptop or phone.
For instance, you may create a secondary guest network on your router for some smart home gadgets. The benefit is that malwares that infects one network will be less likely to infect the main network.
Use Network Monitoring and Security Tools
There are tools that you can use to monitor the presence on your Wi-Fi. With them, you can spot strange devices that are connected to your router. One such program is the Wireless Network Watcher.
You can also invest in a robust security suite to further protect your network. Some also monitor your network for vulnerabilities and even block them.
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Prioritize Reputable Smart Home Technologies
Purchasing low-priced smart home products can have the crucial downside of compromising the security of your devices. Therefore, you shouldn’t make your choice of smart home devices based on budget alone. Brand names are more likely to prioritize security in their devices to protect their reputation. However, keep in mind that there are no guarantees.
Disable Unneeded Features
Go a step further than merely setting up unique passwords for individual devices and enable the highest security options. You may not actually need remote access for some smart devices so you can consider disabling it. Likewise, you can consider disabling Wi-Fi for devices that you do not need to be smart.
Avoid Using Public Networks
Certainly, it should be a no-no for you to access your smart home technology while using a public network. You may just put your smart home at risk. Similarly, do not access your smart devices while you’re on an open or unprotected network. It is preferable to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) app or a well-protected personal HubSpot.
Set Up Extra Shields and Audits
It is wise to use SSL encryption for your data. Think of it as having your data scrambled with a secret code. Hackers will find it difficult to access or use such data. Furthermore, you can regularly inspect your digital home for security vulnerabilities. Hackers are pushing the frontier of cybersecurity and you have to keep up by regularly checking your defenses for weak spots. Likewise, you should verify cloud security service providers rather than blindly trusting them. Be interested in how their cloud services protect your information. Many cyber threats occur as a result of third parties compromising cloud storage facilities.
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Securing your smart home against cyber threats
It is essential to secure your smart home against cyber threats in today’s connected world. Smart home devices may bring you great convenience but they may also pose potential security risks if you do not take needed precautions. Take steps such as considering your privacy, using strong passwords, and securing your Wi-Fi network and you can greatly reduce the chances of cyberattacks. In these ways, you can enjoy the full benefits of your smart home without compromising your privacy and safety.
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