Did Santa fill your stocking with smart home devices like Alexa, Nest, Ring, or Hue? These gadgets are not only convenient and cool, but also unfortunately they are vulnerable to hackers, pranksters, and even burglars. Imagine if someone could access your camera, thermostat, doorbell, or lights without your permission. They could spy on you, mess with your comfort, annoy you, or even plan a break-in. Definitely not ideal.
We recommend you follow a few simple steps to protect your smart home devices from unwanted intruders.
Change the default passwords of your devices and use strong and unique passwords for each one. Please avoid using "password123", your phone number or your pet's name.
Update the firmware of your devices regularly to fix any security bugs or vulnerabilities. Don't ignore those notifications that pop up on your phone or email.
Use a secure Wi-Fi network and router for your devices. Avoid public or open networks that anyone can join. Also, consider creating a separate network for your smart home devices only. This way if one device is compromised, it won't affect your primary network or other devices.
Disable features that you don't need or want, such as remote access, voice control, or location tracking. The less data you share, the better.
Be careful with third-party apps or services that connect to your devices. Read their privacy policies and reviews before granting them access. If you don't trust them, don't use them.
By taking a few precautions, you can enjoy your smart home devices without worrying about hackers or snoops. Remember, protect what you connect. It makes cyber sense!