Smart home devices are all about making your home a comfortable and convenient space. However, the benefits of these technologies extend to making you feel safe and protecting your property even when you’re not at home. For example, smart cameras and video doorbells can help you monitor your home while personal alarms and motion sensors can alert you to possible intrusion. Let us explore the top 8 smart home security devices and best practices to protect your home effectively.
Top 8 Smart Home Security Devices to Protect Your Home
1. Video Doorbell
Imagine seeing who’s at your door from anywhere in the world! Video doorbells such as the popular Ring Video Doorbell, allow you to monitor your front porch remotely, communicate with visitors, and even direct delivery personnel. Equipped with motion sensors, these devices instantly notify you on your smartphone when someone approaches your home.
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2. Smart Locks
You may have already seen smart locks in action in hotel rooms. They allow you to gain access to your front door without needing a physical key – no more worries about forgetting to lock up!
How do smart locks work? Just place your fingerprint, use your key fob, or gain access to your front door using your mobile phone. Moreover, you can send an eKey to your friend or family member to give them access to your home for a specific period.
An example is the August WiFi Smart Lock that comes with an in-built Wi-Fi for locking or unlocking your door – even remotely. You can also make use of its auto-lock and unlock features as well as smart home assistants such as Google and Alexa.
3. Fake Security Cameras
If budget is a concern, fake security cameras can serve as effective deterrents. You do not have to wait until you can splurge on actual security cameras before creating some deterrence for canvassing intruders. Easy to install, these devices mimic real cameras and can discourage potential intruders. However, investing in genuine security systems remains the safest option. While you can go ahead and get a fake security camera online, keep in mind that some intruders may be able to tell the difference.
4. Indoor Security Camera
You certainly need to do more than secure your front door and that’s where indoor security cameras come in. You can install them to learn what’s going on when you’re away from home.
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Keep an eye on your home’s interior with advanced indoor security cameras like the Google Nest Cam IQ, which offer crystal-clear visuals, built-in microphones, and speakers. This device lets you monitor what’s happening inside your home in real-time, providing extra reassurance.
5. Outdoor Security Lights
Keeping things in the light can do more than deter possible intruders. You can see things better and move safely. Top it with motion sensor features and you would be beefing up your security measures.
For example, you can go for Floodlight Cams that are equipped with infrared night vision sensors and motion-activated floodlights.
6. Driveway Alarms
Driveway alarms can help you ease worries about the safety of property assets such as garages and gardens. You can set the alarms to use the built-in motion sensors to detect intrusions within a specific distance and alert you.
With the Nineleaf Wireless PIR Motion Sensor Detector Security Alarm, you can track movement and either receive alarm sounds or trigger flashing LED lights.
7. Smoke Detector
Fire can be a threat to human life and property, and it is always worth it to invest in a smoke and carbon monoxide detector. Smart smoke devices today can precisely locate locations of fire incidents and send emergency alerts to you. You can then take action and also silence the alarm remotely.
Nest Protect is a great choice if you’re looking for a smart alarm with smoke and carbon monoxide detection capabilities. Another useful feature of Nest Protect is its ability to perform self-tests to ensure its integral functions are not compromised.
8. Smart Plug
What if you could turn regular electrical devices into smart devices? You can do just that with smart plugs. Your next step can then be to connect such devices to your mobile phone or tablet so that you can control them.
For example, you can switch off devices and save energy. It also becomes easy to remotely turn on or turn off lights, making it seem as if you were home. If you want to make your home smarter, you can choose the Kasa Smart Plug.
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Top 8 Practices to Secure Your Smart Home
It is true that smart homes can provide many benefits that make your life easier. However, Smart devices may become vulnerable to cyber-attacks since they connect to Wi-Fi networks.
It is therefore important to take steps to improve the security of your smart home devices. Follow these best practices to strengthen your smart home security:
1. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication makes it for you to improve the security of smart home appliance by using a password and a secret code that is texted to you or a small key card that comes with the device.
Therefore, you should enable the multifactor authentication feature that usually comes with your smart device. If it’s not there, then you may use third-party apps such as Google Authenticator to enable the function.
2. Use Strong Passwords
Smart devices such as Wi-Fi routers need to have a really strong password. Then, you can go on to create individual unique password for each account and app on your IoT devices.
As such, it is not so easy to compromise other devices if the password for one is stolen. Remember to make use of a password management system instead of writing down so many passwords.
3. Deploy Next-generation Firewalls (NGFW)
Upgrade your home security with next-generation firewalls equipped with features like malware protection, SSL/SSH inspection, and secure VPN access, ensuring your network remains protected from advanced cyber threats.
4. Regularly Update Security Systems
Your smart home security systems and devices – such as door locks and smart thermostats – need to be regularly updated. It is through such updates that smart device manufacturers can add new features and fix security issues.
You don’t want to waste time enabling automatic updates or getting updates, as such an opportunity may be just what a hacker is waiting for to compromise your entire smart home network. It therefore makes sense to keep an eye on the manufacturer’s website for new updates.
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5. Secure Your Router
Ensure your router is updated regularly, protected by strong passwords, and upgraded if older than five years. Enable WPA2-level encryption for optimal security.
6. Use a VPN
You can block eavesdroppers from your smart home network by running a VPN on your router. They will be unable to monitor the activities of smart devices.
For example, they will be less able to see what you’ve watched on your smart TV or what information you’ve sent over the internet. VPNs also encrypt the internet connection and makes it safer to use.
7. Close Off Entry Points by Disabling Unused Features
Remote access makes smart home devices easier to use and control, but they can pose security risks too. Minimise cyber risks by turning off unnecessary features such as remote access, Bluetooth, or voice control when not actively in use. This reduces entry points for cyber intruders.
8. Opt for Premium Security Support
Consider subscribing to premium security services provided by your smart home manufacturers. These services offer advanced protection and expert support against sophisticated cyber attacks.
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Prioritise Your Smart Home Security
Smart home devices significantly enhance your quality of life, offering convenience, safety, and control. However, safeguarding your smart home requires careful selection of reliable security devices and adherence to robust security practices. Stay vigilant, update regularly, and use technology wisely to ensure your home remains secure and your peace of mind intact.
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