Ah, smart homes are a great experience. Usually, they’re not only convenient but also extremely comfortable.
There are more and more devices that we can connect to our Wi-Fi as well, and although it’s all positive, let’s not forget one growing issue: cybersecurity threats.
It can happen to the best of us: whether you’re tech-savvy or not, learning about these threats can prevent ugly situations and data stealing or ransacking.
Let’s find out how to protect your smart home and all its devices from hackers and cyberattacks!
Breaching your smart home: how do hackers do it?
It was even more evident after the pandemic: we’re all digitally connected most of the time. The entire world is, actually.
Unfortunately, the progress of the internet comes with a big threat: cybercriminals. They are always inventing and trying different strategies to find and exploit vulnerabilities in your smart home and cybersecurity systems.
You can start with one simple step: understanding exactly what the risks are.
This allows you to defend your devices and avoid falling into cybercriminals’ tricks and traps.
Here are the most common threats hackers frequently employ:
- Having a weak password: If your passwords are something that people will quickly guess, or if you use the same one for everything, you’re at risk. If a hacker decodes it, they could enter your accounts and devices easily.
- Phishing Attacks: this happens when cybercriminals impersonate legitimate institutions, like banks. They can get you to reveal sensitive information through fake websites and emails.
- Vulnerable Firmware: hackers can find and exploit your personal information if you don’t update and renew your firmware when it’s due.
- Non-secure Wi-Fi connections: if you connect your devices and even phone to a public or dodgy Wi-Fi, it’s easier for hackers to get their hands into your information.
- Malware and Ransomware: There are some software programs that can hack into your stuff and “kidnap” them. The hackers will give you access to them back only if you pay them a ransom.
By considering these techniques, you can start strengthening your defenses. It doesn’t hurt to educate other people in your family as well, so they can prevent accidents and security breaches.
The best practices to keep your home safe from cyberattacks
Now that you know the risks, let’s get into some measures you can take to keep your stuff safe from hackers and cybercriminals:
- Good and strong passwords: Your passwords have to be unique. Don’t use the same one for everything, and try to change them every few months.
- Two-Factor Authentication: if there’s an option, you should set a two-factor authentication. This will add another layer of security online.
- Update your devices: Install the latest software updates. Yes, it takes time, but as cyber threats get more powerful, security patches increase their power too.
- Protect your Wi-Fi: Remember to use a strong password. You can also use WPA2 or better encryption and enable the built-in firewall in your router as soon as possible.
- Check the apps’ permissions: Don’t give the smart home-related devices every permission they request; keep it basic.
- Use a VPN: Use a VPN for your smartphone or a VPN for Chrome to secure your traffic and encrypt it. This way, you will make it impossible for hackers to track your IP address and, therefore–steal or manipulate your data with any of the techniques previously described.
Stay proactive and keep your smart home safe from cyber threats. Safeguarding your smart home is vital for protecting your privacy and ensuring device safety.
Strengthen security by using robust passwords, activating two-factor authentication, updating devices, securing your Wi-Fi, reviewing app permissions, and utilizing a VPN.
Take charge of your smart home’s security in 2023 with these top tips:
- Do you pay attention to your passwords?
- Have you enabled two-factor authentication?
- Is your Wi-Fi network secure?
- Are you safeguarding your data with a VPN?
Your home was compromised: what to do next?
Since hackers develop new malware every day, it’s possible to be attacked successfully, even taking all the precautions. If you find that this is the case, here are some tips to help:
- Disconnect the compromised devices: turn off every device that you think has been hacked as soon as you identify them.
- Change passwords: never keep the same passwords after a cyberattack. You can use a secure password manager if you like, but change them all.
- Factory reset: this reset will eliminate every trace of malware in your devices and delete all your info and personalized configurations.
- Check the activity logs: this allows you to identify suspicious activities and, if you can, contact the authorities.
- Keep stronger security measures: reconsider adding two-factor authentication, for starters, and review our tips above to see what you haven’t been doing. A VPN can also help tremendously.
Don’t panic if you have been hacked. Instead, act quickly.
It’s never too late to keep stronger security measures. Don’t wait for a cyberattack in order to try to rescue your information. Stay vigilant and prevent stuff from happening in the first place.
Shield your smart home from hackers
Cybersecurity is more important than ever.
If you follow the best security practices, keep yourself updated on the latest cyberattacks, and take measures to keep yourself and your stuff safe, you can enjoy your digital time as usual.
