While it’s important to look at the security of each connected product you bring into your home, there are several precautions you can take to keep your smart home safe once everything is connected:
- Be sure to change the username and password for each internet-connected smart home device from its default factory settings.
- Use passwords that are long and difficult to guess (i.e. not your name or street address).
- Don’t use public Wi-Fi to access your smart home remotely. Public Wi-Fi networks are very vulnerable, and hackers can use them to gain entry to your home via what’s called a man-in-the-middle attack.
- Keep your devices up to date—always install the latest software updates to ensure you have the best defense against malware and other online threats.
While the above steps will help keep your smart home safe, this level of proactive home network protection may not be enough to keep your home completely secure. Hackers can sneak into systems through vulnerabilities in local devices like window sensors or door locks, or through the cloud. This is where the level of security on the devices themselves becomes very important.
So, homeowners should be looking for a few details when choosing a connected device that is also secure. You should start by looking for products with security measures built-in. This smart home technology implements the highest level of security on all products, from smart locks and sensors to your smart home hub.
It’s important to understand that while the threat of cyber-attack is real, it is also highly unlikely that someone will gain access to your home and its devices. You’re still more likely to have someone throw a brick through your front window than try to gain access via your smart home. But the more devices on the market, the easier a target it is for hackers, and it’s important to be prepared.
