Imagine you and your family having a great time on a beautiful evening. Suddenly, Your TV turns on automatically with a message on the screen; you got hacked. You instantly unplug the TV and rest easy for a moment. But then you realize you have many other devices that have the risk of getting hacked too. So, you call in an expert to solve the problem and the report they give is you had a weak password for your router. Yes, Smart Home devices can be hacked and they may have various kinds of security issues too. But with simple countermeasures, you can enjoy the fullest potential and conveniences of Smart Home devices without worrying a bit. So, without further due, let’s dive into details.
Flaws exist in anything you purchase. It can be in your Car, Smartphone, Light, Fans, or any of your daily use products. So, it’s only natural. In most circumstances, hackers are gaining access to your smart home devices due to the homeowner’s lack of knowledge and security system. A 2018 study showed that there were more than 49,000 smart home servers publicly visible on the internet. What is shocking is that more than 32,000 of those servers didn’t even have any password protection. Another statistic says almost 80% of IoT devices are vulnerable to attacks due to very simple reasons.
Secure Your Smart Home With 7 Simple Steps
To make sure you don’t fall victim to these security issues, here are the top 7 simple steps you can follow to make your home more secure:
Step 1: No more “Public”
Stop leaving your router public. When your router is exposed with no password or encryption, you are exposing your entire network or everything connected to that router. If anyone can access your system, then maybe anyone can access your bank account details too. So, be cautious.
Step 2: Use a Strong Password
Stop leaving your router public. When your router is exposed with no password or encryption, you are exposing your entire network or everything connected to that router. If anyone can access your system, then maybe anyone can access your bank account details too. So, be cautious. Stop using apparent or straightforward passwords like “12345” or “Password.” These types of passwords can be hacked easily. So, use strong passwords for your devices. A secure password can be a guardian deity of your security system.
Step 3: Changing the Password Periodically
Change your passwords frequently. Let’s assume you have created a strong password but you need to change it from time to time to keep your system protected. If someone tries to get into your smart home devices, they can do it eventually. It might take six months to crack the security code. But by changing your password frequently, you can avoid potential security breaches.
Step 4: Stop Freeloading
Don’t use an unfamiliar WIFI network. Your mobile devices contain apps. Most likely, your smart home automation app is on your mobile too. Previously we suggested not sharing your network. Try not to use open WIFI too, such as airports, and hospital networks.
Step 5: Update Devices
Keep your device updated. When a piece of technology suggests an update, it’s usually some critical update or software that needs to be changed. Keeping your device outdated is a major reason hackers can gain access to your devices easily. So, update your devices whenever it’s available.
Step 6: Do the Research
Yes! Before buying any random products from the market, research them thoroughly. In Smart Home technology, most of the innovations are coming from focused start-ups and midsize companies. So, before buying products from new brands, do your research. And if you don’t want to research and have extra money to spend, go for renowned brands like Samsung, Philips, Google Nest, and more.
Step 7: Get Expert Advice
And like always, if you are in doubt, hire a home network security consultant. While still uncommon in this sector, a professional can assess the vulnerabilities of your home setup and can give suggestions on how you can improve. Tip: Many brands provide services for their products, so if you are in distress, try contacting them.
None of the steps we discussed are challenging to perform. You can simply search on Google or YouTube to help you complete these steps if you aren’t clear. Strengthen your security and enjoy the evolving world of technology and home automation. Follow these steps, and you will never regret purchasing a smart home device. We will see it through so that you don’t get frustrated with your choices from our advice. That is a promise.
