Smart home devices favored by hackers: a guide to enhancing security
In today's connected world, smart home devices have become an integral part of many households. However, these devices can be vulnerable to hacking if not properly secured. Here's a guide to help you protect your smart home from potential threats.
Wi-Fi Routers
Wi-Fi routers are often the entry point for hackers. They can exploit default settings, outdated firmware, weak or default passwords, and lack of encryption. To secure your router, keep it updated, use a strong and unique password, and enable a firewall. It's particularly important to change the default admin username and password, update encryption settings to WPA3 if available, and use strong, unique Wi-Fi network passwords.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats, such as Google Nest, can be hacked to control their settings and perform malicious activities. To secure them, avoid sharing login details or passwords between devices, enable two-factor authentication, and keep software updated. For added security, consider placing your smart thermostat on a separate network.
Smart Doorbells
Smart doorbells, like other smart home devices, can be vulnerable to hacking and may be used for spying or swatting attacks. To secure your smart doorbell, use strong and unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and choose a model with an encrypted video feed.
Smart Appliances
Smart appliances, including smart fridges and ovens, are vulnerable due to weak settings like default login credentials and outdated firmware. To secure them, disable unused features, connect them to separate Wi-Fi networks when possible, keep software updated, and change their default passwords.
Smart Speakers
Smart speakers can control various home appliances but can also be a security risk if they fall into the wrong hands. To secure them, it's recommended to regularly update their software, use strong and unique passwords, and disable any unnecessary features or remote access when not in use.
Security Cameras
Security cameras that aren't locked down can be hijacked, providing a hacker with a live feed into your home. To secure them, change default login credentials, enable two-factor authentication, keep firmware updated, and consider using end-to-end encryption.
Baby Monitors
Baby monitors can be vulnerable to hacking if connected to a Wi-Fi network. To secure them, change any default passwords to strong and unique ones, keep their firmware updated, and always disable remote viewing when not in use.
Stay Informed
For up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews on smart home devices, following Tom's Guide on Google News is recommended. Additionally, the best antivirus software often has a firewall feature.
Conclusion
The hard and fast rule for smart home devices is that if they're connected to Wi-Fi, they need to be secured because there's a way to hack them. By implementing these layered security practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of your smart home devices being exploited by hackers, helping to protect both your privacy and safety.
- Given the potential vulnerabilities in smart home devices, it's essential to secure Wi-Fi routers by keeping them updated, using strong and unique passwords, enabling a firewall, and changing default admin credentials.
- To safeguard smart appliances like smart fridges and ovens from hackers, it's recommended to disable unused features, connect them to separate Wi-Fi networks when possible, keep software updated, and change their default passwords.
