Four Ways to Protect Your Smart Home Against Hackers

Smart households continue to gain popularity due to their convenience. These smart devices in your home make your life easier by giving you greater control of various in-house functions while also improving energy efficiency. Smart devices are also wide-ranging, such as light bulbs, security cameras, televisions, garage door openers, and much more. While these smart devices offer many benefits, they also pose potential cybersecurity risks due to hackers. All of these devices offer a treasure trove of information that makes it much easier to steal your identity.

Here are a few simple methods to keep your data safe and reduce the chance of a hacker stealing your information.

1) Create a Secure Network

One of the first steps in improving IT security for your smart devices is to secure your Wi-Fi network. Changing the network name and the default password is critical in reducing the chance of a successful hacking attempt. You can also add another Wi-Fi network for only smart devices, which can help keep everything segregated from your personal information, such as banking and other financial details.

2) Register Each Device

Taking the time to register a new device is always a good idea to create an added layer of security. Device registration makes it possible to download security updates from the manufacturer. These updates often patch security vulnerabilities, and they can also improve the performance of the device. Registering a smart device also makes it possible to reach out to customer support if you encounter any technical issues.

3) Always Use Strong Passwords

Another key factor in keeping your data safe on smart devices is to create strong passwords that aren’t easy to guess. These passwords are your main defense against hackers, as it’s important to use unique passwords for each device. Combining several numbers, symbols, and letters is essential in creating a secure password. A password manager is also an effective option to keep track of all your passwords while only needing to remember the master passcode to access each device.

4) Unplug Smart Devices While You are Gone

Many people make the mistake of leaving a smart device turned on while they away from home for an extended period or on vacation. Unplugging smart devices makes it impossible for hackers to access these devices while also helping you save money on your energy bill. It’s also important to factory reset a device if you plan to give it away to ensure none of your personal details remain on the device.

Final Thoughts

A smart home offers many conveniences with the help of the Internet of Things and other advances in technology. However, these smart devices are often easy for cybercriminals to hack due to their lack of security. Creating a secure Wi-Fi network, keeping your devices up to date with the latest patches, and always using strong passwords are essential to maximizing data security. Unplugging unused devices is also a good idea in limiting potential targets for hackers. While it remains impossible to eliminate the risk of a data breach, following these simple security measures can keep your information much safer on a smart device.