Smart homes are now a common feature of contemporary living. Telling your refrigerator to add milk to the computerized grocery list doesn’t even sound strange these days.
The efficiency and convenience of smart homes are unmatched. An app on your smartphone can be used to manage your thermostat and lighting. and always have a virtual helper like Alexa at your disposal. But even as we welcome the convenience, we must take the risks into account. Additionally, be proactive in order to prevent your smart home from turning against you.
Recent news stories have highlighted the weaknesses in smart home technologies. For instance, the narrative in “Locked Out & Hacked: When Smart Homes Turn on Owners” from the New York Post.
The article talks about nightmares with smart homes. include the recent purchase of a smart house that was unintentionally locked in. Preprogrammed settings were left by the previous owner. The house abruptly informed him that it was time for bed at 11:30 p.m. and locked all of the doors.
A woman who was terrified by her home’s lights and sounds was another victim of technology. The smart technology was being fraudulently manipulated by her former partner.
How can you avoid a similar situation as homes get smarter? We’ll go over several essential tactics for safeguarding your house and privacy.
Smart Home Safety Tips You Need to Use
1. Secure Your Network
Any smart home’s network is its foundation. You shouldn’t disregard Wi-Fi security, just as you wouldn’t leave your front door wide open.
Here are the best practices:
- Change your router’s default password to something strong and unique.
- Use WPA3 encryption (look for Wi-Fi 6)
- Create a separate guest network to isolate your smart devices from your main network.
- Regularly update your router’s firmware. Ensure it’s equipped with the latest security patches.
2. Strengthen Device Passwords
Pay close attention to selecting secure, one-of-a-kind passwords while configuring your smart gadgets. Use a combination of capital and lowercase characters, numbers, and symbols instead of information that may be guessed quickly, like “123456” or “password.” Use a password manager to increase security.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security feature that many smart home device manufacturers offer. You can keep people out by turning on 2FA. Even if someone is able to figure out your password, this remains true. They will not be able to pass the second round of authentication. This adds another layer of protection against unwanted access.
4. Regularly Update Firmware
Updates to the firmware are necessary to address security flaws in your smart devices. These updates are released by manufacturers to address vulnerabilities that are found. Develop the habit of routinely checking for firmware updates and installing them right away.
5. Vet Your Devices
Not every smart device is made equally. Examine the reputation of the company while selecting new gadgets for your smart home. Seek out products with strong security features and a track record of timely updates. Steer clear of buying electronics from unknown or dubious brands.
6. Isolate Sensitive Devices
If at all possible, think about putting your most sensitive devices on a different network. Utilize a dedicated network, for instance, for:
- Smart locks
- Security cameras
- and other critical devices
This keeps them apart from your less important electronics. For example, smart speakers or lamps. In this manner, the other devices stay safe even in the event that a hacker breaches one network.
7. Review App Permissions
Smart home apps frequently ask for access to your devices’ varied permissions. Examine the data that the application is attempting to access before granting these rights. Determine if it’s required for the gadget to work. Limit the amount of permissions needed for the device to function.
8. Be Cautious with Voice Assistants
Alexa and Google Assistant are two very handy voice-activated assistants. but may potentially be a privacy risk. Examine the privacy settings on your voice assistant. Use caution when disclosing information to them. When you’re not using the microphone, think about muting it. This stops inadvertent listening in.
9. Check Your Devices Regularly
Check your smart devices’ activity and status on a regular basis. Keep an eye out for any odd activity. such unexpected device turns on or off. or unfamiliar hardware showing up on your network. Investigate and act quickly if you see anything questionable.
10. Understand Your Device’s Data Usage
Examine the privacy statement on your smart device. Recognize how it handles your info. Certain devices might gather and disseminate your data to outside parties. It can be for marketing or for another reason. Think carefully before bringing any electronics into your house.
11. Stay Informed
Finally, keep up with the most recent advancements in smart home security. Get security newsletters by subscribing. Observe reliable tech blogs. Follow news stories such as this one from the New York Post. Gaining more knowledge will make you more capable of safeguarding your smart home.
Get Expert Help With Smart Home Security
Smart homes offer incredible convenience. However, you shouldn’t overlook the threats that they also carry. Are you having trouble configuring the security system in your smart home?
Give us a call today to schedule a chat.