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ZDNET Highlights
- Users can take steps to reduce the risk of attacks on smart homes.
- Strong passwords, MFA, and secure setup all enhance device security.
- Research smart device brands before making a purchase.
As a smart home user, I pause whenever a major data breach hits the news cycle, especially one that involves devices I own or recommend, like security cameras. Recent reports have highlighted the question: How easily can your smart home devices be hacked?
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Most of us have some Internet of Things (IoT) device at home, whether it’s a phone, a tablet, or a collection of security cameras and sensors. when you learn it 120,000 home security cameras hacked As for the sexual abuse footage in South Korea, it makes you think twice about adding such devices to your home, your most sacred place for privacy.
Can someone hack my smart home?
All smart homes are at risk of being hacked, but this is not an unlikely event. The type of bad actors who target devices like smart homes and security cameras are opportunistic. They randomly search for easy targets – they do not choose a particular house to attack and then try to trick that specific system.
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The best way to prevent attacks on your smart home devices is to not become an easy target. Unfortunately, many of the smart home hacks you hear about in news reports occur because people fail to follow the necessary security steps that protect against those attacks.
How can I protect my smart home from hackers?
Using weak passwords, failing to keep your firmware updated, or exposing Wi-Fi networks puts you at risk for these attacks, even if the risk is still very low. Here are details of things you can do to protect your smart home devices from hackers:
1. Keep your passwords secure
You’ve probably seen news stories about hackers being able to access baby monitors and actually talk through them using two-way audio – this usually happens if the default password was never changed.
Similarly, weak passwords can also be guessed easily. If you reuse a password that was involved in a data breach, you’re also at risk of being hacked.
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For this purpose, use strong, unique passwords for each account and/or device. You want to make your devices secure enough that they are beyond the reach of any attacker.
2. Turn on two- or multi-factor authentication
Enabling multi-factor authentication also keeps your password secure, because if someone steals it, they will still need a second layer of approval from you to access your account. Many brands of smart home devices and accounts offer this feature, including Amazon, Google, and Philips Hue.
Also: Why is multi-factor authentication necessary?
Two-factor authentication can be a little annoying sometimes, as it requires extra steps to log in and access your account; However, it is worth the effort to prevent unauthorized access.
3. Secure your Wi-Fi
Securing your Wi-Fi may seem basic, but it’s something most people overlook. To secure your Wi-Fi, use WPA2 or WPA3 and always change the default password on your router – otherwise, your wireless network will be open.
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Avoid sharing your Wi-Fi password widely. You may also consider creating a guest network for visitors and a separate network for smart home devices. I use a separate network for smart home devices. There is one main Wi-Fi network that we use to connect our personal devices, such as laptops, tablets, and computers. And then there’s one just for IoT devices, to which we connect our smart plugs, robot vacuums, and everything else.
4. Keep your firmware updated
Whenever possible, enable auto updates on each device to ensure they receive the latest software updates. Manufacturers often spot vulnerabilities and send over-the-air updates to patch these security flaws, so it’s always important to make sure your device has the latest firmware.
5. Turn off unnecessary features
The next step is to disable all features that you do not use or need on your device, especially if those features make you vulnerable to attacks. If you don’t need remote access and this feature can be disabled on the device, do so.
You’ll be able to access your device locally only when you’re near it, but it also protects it from malicious elements, especially if it has a camera.
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It’s also a good idea to turn off Universal Plug and Play on your router and disallow any unnecessary integrations into your devices that you don’t need. If there’s something you don’t need, go ahead and reject it.
6. Research the brand you’re buying
Always research the brand and its best practices before making a purchase. Sure, I could say buy only trusted brands, but many big, trusted brands have been the target of very basic attacks and vulnerabilities, like Wyze, Eufy, and Google.
Don’t rely on the idea that a brand is trustworthy just because it’s famous. Research the brand and its security measures to ensure the security of user data. If a brand advertises features like local-only storage, and it’s a very important consideration for you, verify it through reviews, user experiences on sites like Reddit, and real-world experiences.
