Smart Home Cybersecurity: What measures should you take?
Technology is being implemented in homes to make life easier, but if the appropriate measures are not taken, a smart home can become a headache.
A smart home offers you peace of mind, comfort and efficiency. With your smartphone acting as a control center, you can remotely monitor video cameras, lock or unlock doors, turn on lights or appliances, etc. However, not all are advantages, your smart home is connected to the Internet, and therefore, it is not free from possible cyber attacks. There is no doubt that it is necessary to influence the cybersecurity of your smart home.
Safety tips for smart home automation
As this technology becomes integrated into more homes, there is potential for a variety of home security vulnerabilities and concerns. Take note of the following considerations.
Security measures for smart homes
What kind of devices to choose?
Typically, you’ll need to choose between two home automation options: service provider solutions, which can come with monthly fees, and individual smart products, like smart TVs and thermostats. Individual devices can be connected through a smart home automation hub, but it’s important to select a hub that supports all the devices you need to control.
Understand privacy policies
With the IoT monitoring, storing and sharing consumer data, most manufacturers now have privacy policies in place. You must read these privacy policies and verify if they meet your needs and your privacy is not violated.
Secure your network
Safety and security features can vary widely depending on the manufacturer and the individual product. Before you buy, evaluate each device for potential security issues. Those connected to the Internet (rather than those that rely on a Wi-Fi connection) are usually more secure. If a device is linked through a wireless network, turn on all security features to prevent interception of signals. It also configures the network to issue an alert if the connection is lost. And of course, don’t forget to create extremely strong passwords.
Keep in mind that if you suffer a cyber attack or your devices are hacked, you may suffer some of these consequences:
- Device crash: the device stops working
- Economic loss: imagine that someone controls the heating at will
- Loss of personal data: connected devices often store confidential information that can be hacked
- Loss of privacy: With access to one of your security cameras you could be spied on (and even know if you are at home or not)
- Participation in criminal activities: if one of your devices is hacked, it can be used to carry out massive attacks on websites.
Conclusions
In short, smart homes are a great technology with great comfort and even savings, but smart home cybersecurity is paramount. In this sense, you must take the necessary precautions to guarantee your privacy and that of your family.
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