Your shiny new smart doorbell may be watching over your parcels, but who’s watching over it? As more devices connect to the internet, they also invite potential cyber threats. Last year, over 26,000 UK households reported breaches of smart devices. One family in Manchester even had their heating turned off mid-winter by hackers demanding Bitcoin.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to secure your smart home and protect your privacy.
Key Ways to Protect Your Smart Home
Securing your smart home doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are essential tips:
1. Update Regularly
Those annoying update notifications are crucial. Manufacturers release updates to fix vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Ignoring them leaves your devices open to attack.
Tip: Enable automatic updates whenever possible, and manually check for updates on devices that don’t offer this feature, like your router. It’s the gateway to your home network and needs regular updates to stay secure.
2. Use Network Segregation
Create a separate Wi-Fi network just for your smart devices. This isolates them from your personal devices (like your computer and phone). If one device gets compromised, hackers won’t be able to access more sensitive data, like banking information.
Pro Tip: Set a strong password for your guest network to prevent unauthorized access.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Where available, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your smart devices and accounts. This extra layer of security makes it harder for hackers to break in, even if they steal your password.
With these simple steps, you can enjoy the benefits of a smart home without inviting cybercriminals in. Regular updates, network segregation, and two-factor authentication will go a long way in keeping your devices secure.
As smart homes continue to grow in popularity, protecting your personal data becomes more critical than ever. By taking a few minutes to secure your devices today, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the convenience of a connected home without the fear of unwanted intrusions. Remember, these gadgets are brilliant when they work for you—just make sure they’re not working for someone else! Stay vigilant and keep your home safe from hackers.