
Smart home security is becoming increasingly important as more and more people embrace the convenience and benefits of connected devices. With smart thermostats, security cameras, and smart locks, it's easier than ever to keep an eye on your home and ensure that it's safe and secure.
However, just because you have smart home devices does not mean that your home is automatically secure. There are several easy steps you can take to increase the security of your smart home and protect yourself and your family from potential threats. While you can opt for consulting with field-specific companies, there are also many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that provide home security features. If you find this interesting, you can try out the popular ones, such as Cox homelife, and see what options they have. But you may be wondering why smart home security needs to be secured further. Here is why:
Importance of increasing smart home security
Believe it or not, smart home security threats are often detected before you even step inside.
Once you enter a smart home, you're likely to find a plethora of devices residents used for added convenience, including smart TVs, Wi-Fi routers, smart speakers, thermostats, light bulbs, and personal home assistants. And the list goes on!
But the fact that these devices are connected to the Internet makes cybercriminals feel right at home.
There is no doubt that IoT devices around the world have increased the convenience of life for technology users. But along with these technological advantages comes additional risk, namely cybersecurity risk.
The more connected devices you have at home, the more opportunities for criminals to break into your network and gain access to other devices with a lot of data. This can potentially compromise your personal and financial information, not to mention your privacy.
Here are six easy steps you can take to increase smart home security:
Use strong, unique passwords
One of the most important things you can do to protect your smart home is to use strong, unique passwords for all of your devices. This includes your router, smart home hub, and all of your smart devices. Avoid using easily guessable passwords like "123456" or "password," and use a password manager to generate and store complex, unique passwords for each of your devices.
Enable two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your smart system by requiring you to provide another form of verification in addition to your password. This could be a code sent to your phone, a fingerprint scan, or a security key. Enabling 2FA on your accounts can help prevent unauthorized access and protect against account takeover attempts.
Keep your devices and software updated
Smart home devices and the software that powers them are constantly being updated to fix bugs and improve security. It's important to keep your devices and software up to date to ensure that you have the latest security features and patches. Many devices will automatically update themselves, but it's a good idea to check for updates manually regularly.
Use a secure smart home hub
A smart home hub is a central device that allows you to control and monitor your smart home devices from a single app or interface. When choosing a smart home hub, be sure to select one that uses secure protocols and encryption to protect your data and communication.
Be cautious with third-party integrations
Many smart home devices allow you to integrate with third-party services and apps, which can be convenient but can also introduce security risks. Before integrating your devices with a third-party service, be sure to research the service and ensure that it has strong security measures in place.
Use a VPN
As the number of devices connected to the Internet increases, so do the potential targets for hackers, leading to cybersecurity threats. With over 13 billion IoT devices around the world, you can imagine how much data smart coffee makers, light bulbs, alarm clocks, and refrigerators collect. They serve as a gathering place for cybercriminals – this is where the need for a good VPN comes into play.
A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection and helps to protect your data and privacy online. Using a VPN can be particularly important when accessing your smart home devices remotely, as it can help to prevent hackers from intercepting your data.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several easy steps you can take to increase the security of your smart home. By using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping your devices and software up to date, using a secure smart home hub, being cautious with third-party integrations, and using a VPN, you can help to protect yourself and your family from potential threats and ensure that your smart home is as secure as possible.