How to Prevent Hackers from Accessing Home Devices
Many devices today are not only capable of connecting to the internet, but are capable of connecting to one another, as well. Smart devices have become the rage and we can find examples of them everywhere in homes and businesses throughout the world.
(Seemingly) Everything Can Connect To The Internet
Simply put, the list of things that are now capable of connecting to the internet for even greater capabilities is quite staggering. Lightbulbs, televisions, thermostats, refrigerators, speakers, home security systems, and other devices can now connect to the internet. We can control them with smartphones and tablets. We can even access them while we’re away from home.
As a general concept, this enhanced connectivity potential with some of the more essential items in our homes is something that is well worth getting excited about. At the same time, there is a considerable element of danger.
Can Smart Devices Be Hacked?
As the connectivity potential of products like lamps and TVs increases, the potential for criminal activity increases as well. To be sure, there is a serious potential for hackers to get into these devices and come away with more than just some basic information. It has already been established that hackers can get into these devices to snoop around. In some cases, it is actually possible for hackers to attack an entire network of connected devices.
How To Protect Your Smart Devices From Hackers
There are a number of things that consumers can do to protect their smart devices. It is important to remember that by extension, when we take steps to protect these devices, we are taking steps to protect ourselves.
For example, it should go without saying that researching products before you buy them is just common sense. When it comes to buying internet-connected home products, it’s a good idea to make sure you are working with trusted brands.
Think about companies like Amazon and Google. Both of these companies have products on the market and they both have strong reputations for creating and releasing products that take security concerns seriously. As a consumer, one thing you are going to want to do is learn more about how the company handles software updates. In particular, how often do they release software updates that allow their customers to address and deal with ongoing security concerns?
Company privacy policies represent another aspect to shopping for these devices that you will want to keep in mind. In finding out more about the companies themselves, do some research on whether or not the company itself has been a threat to the security and privacy of users. What kind of information are they getting on you? Is this information leaving your device? Find out if the manufacturer has been accused of selling private information to third-party companies.
For an example of a company with a trustworthy product, consider Amazon Echo speakers. The speakers come with the Alexa smart assistant. The product automatically downloads updates that allow it to remain safeguarded from hackers and other threats. At the same time, Amazon’s servers only receive your data from Alexa when you are actually using the program. In other words, until you say “Alexa!”, nothing will be sent to Amazon.
Google has a similar product. To that end, their approach to protecting data and privacy is largely the same as that of Amazon. Regular software updates keep the device protected from hackers and data thieves. Nothing is sent to Google until the device is actually activated by a specific voice command.
Then you have companies like Vizio. As you may remember, it was recently discovered that the company was not only keeping detailed records of the viewing habits of their customers, but they were also selling this information to advertisers. This is why research on your part is so important.
How To Strengthen WiFi Security
Think of your WiFi network as the centerpiece of a connected home. After all, none of those devices are going to be very effective without a strong WiFi connection. Some security experts suggest having two strong WiFi connections. One for your internet-connected home devices, and another for devices like laptops, smartphones, tablets, and so forth.
Why? It’s simple. Two WiFi networks can make things more difficult for hackers. Essentially, you’re limiting access.
Setting up a guest network might be your best bet. Put all of your connected home devices on that network, while having everything else on your primary network. Remember that for an additional security measure, you can disable having the network name displayed entirely. This will definitely make things harder for hackers. However, keep in mind that this measure is going to force visitors to manually type in both the network name and password.
How To Create Stronger Passwords
At the end of the day, there is a very good chance that your passwords are far too weak to stand up hackers and similar threats. Strong, unique passwords are essential to each of your devices. Recycling passwords can prove to be highly problematic. If one device becomes compromised, any other device that utilizes the same password can become compromised as well.
A strong password can consist of either possibility:
• A completely random string of characters.
• Nonsensical phrases that combine said phrase with special characters and random numbers.
Can’t remember them? That’s a good thing. If you can’t remember them, then it becomes considerably more difficult for hackers and data thieves to get at your information. Write them down, and store them in safe locations.
Audit Updates
Many devices give you the ability to take advantage of automatic updates. Even so, remember that the responsibility for keeping up with updates generally falls to the consumer. In particular, products that lack screens are obviously going to have a hard time telling you when it’s time for an update. This means that the demand to keep up with this falls to you.
Thankfully, any product worth your time is going to have an app that you can easily access from your smartphone, tablet, or other device. Make it a point to regularly audit these devices to find out if updates are required. Remember that all updates should be installed immediately.
If you are truly concerned about your privacy, remember that putting a piece of tape over your device’s camera is always an option. When it comes to smart speakers from the likes of Amazon or Google, keep in mind that these products come with a mute feature. This feature allows you to mute the microphone of the device, which means that nothing will be recorded. You won’t even be able to activate the device by accident. If the device is hijacked, then having the mute feature in place will ensure that no one can listen to your conversation.
Some will go so far as to advocate avoiding these devices altogether. Everyone generally accepts the reality that smartphones are a vital component to our society. However, some security experts believe that utilizing these smart appliances and other products represent a distinct crossing into a degree of vulnerability that is too serious to ignore. This is why we must always do our research and take proper precautions when it comes to smart home devices.
(Seemingly) Everything Can Connect To The Internet
Simply put, the list of things that are now capable of connecting to the internet for even greater capabilities is quite staggering. Lightbulbs, televisions, thermostats, refrigerators, speakers, home security systems, and other devices can now connect to the internet. We can control them with smartphones and tablets. We can even access them while we’re away from home.
As a general concept, this enhanced connectivity potential with some of the more essential items in our homes is something that is well worth getting excited about. At the same time, there is a considerable element of danger.
Can Smart Devices Be Hacked?
As the connectivity potential of products like lamps and TVs increases, the potential for criminal activity increases as well. To be sure, there is a serious potential for hackers to get into these devices and come away with more than just some basic information. It has already been established that hackers can get into these devices to snoop around. In some cases, it is actually possible for hackers to attack an entire network of connected devices.
How To Protect Your Smart Devices From Hackers
There are a number of things that consumers can do to protect their smart devices. It is important to remember that by extension, when we take steps to protect these devices, we are taking steps to protect ourselves.
For example, it should go without saying that researching products before you buy them is just common sense. When it comes to buying internet-connected home products, it’s a good idea to make sure you are working with trusted brands.
Think about companies like Amazon and Google. Both of these companies have products on the market and they both have strong reputations for creating and releasing products that take security concerns seriously. As a consumer, one thing you are going to want to do is learn more about how the company handles software updates. In particular, how often do they release software updates that allow their customers to address and deal with ongoing security concerns?
Company privacy policies represent another aspect to shopping for these devices that you will want to keep in mind. In finding out more about the companies themselves, do some research on whether or not the company itself has been a threat to the security and privacy of users. What kind of information are they getting on you? Is this information leaving your device? Find out if the manufacturer has been accused of selling private information to third-party companies.
For an example of a company with a trustworthy product, consider Amazon Echo speakers. The speakers come with the Alexa smart assistant. The product automatically downloads updates that allow it to remain safeguarded from hackers and other threats. At the same time, Amazon’s servers only receive your data from Alexa when you are actually using the program. In other words, until you say “Alexa!”, nothing will be sent to Amazon.
Google has a similar product. To that end, their approach to protecting data and privacy is largely the same as that of Amazon. Regular software updates keep the device protected from hackers and data thieves. Nothing is sent to Google until the device is actually activated by a specific voice command.
Then you have companies like Vizio. As you may remember, it was recently discovered that the company was not only keeping detailed records of the viewing habits of their customers, but they were also selling this information to advertisers. This is why research on your part is so important.
How To Strengthen WiFi Security
Think of your WiFi network as the centerpiece of a connected home. After all, none of those devices are going to be very effective without a strong WiFi connection. Some security experts suggest having two strong WiFi connections. One for your internet-connected home devices, and another for devices like laptops, smartphones, tablets, and so forth.
Why? It’s simple. Two WiFi networks can make things more difficult for hackers. Essentially, you’re limiting access.
Setting up a guest network might be your best bet. Put all of your connected home devices on that network, while having everything else on your primary network. Remember that for an additional security measure, you can disable having the network name displayed entirely. This will definitely make things harder for hackers. However, keep in mind that this measure is going to force visitors to manually type in both the network name and password.
How To Create Stronger Passwords
At the end of the day, there is a very good chance that your passwords are far too weak to stand up hackers and similar threats. Strong, unique passwords are essential to each of your devices. Recycling passwords can prove to be highly problematic. If one device becomes compromised, any other device that utilizes the same password can become compromised as well.
A strong password can consist of either possibility:
• A completely random string of characters.
• Nonsensical phrases that combine said phrase with special characters and random numbers.
Can’t remember them? That’s a good thing. If you can’t remember them, then it becomes considerably more difficult for hackers and data thieves to get at your information. Write them down, and store them in safe locations.
Audit Updates
Many devices give you the ability to take advantage of automatic updates. Even so, remember that the responsibility for keeping up with updates generally falls to the consumer. In particular, products that lack screens are obviously going to have a hard time telling you when it’s time for an update. This means that the demand to keep up with this falls to you.
Thankfully, any product worth your time is going to have an app that you can easily access from your smartphone, tablet, or other device. Make it a point to regularly audit these devices to find out if updates are required. Remember that all updates should be installed immediately.
If you are truly concerned about your privacy, remember that putting a piece of tape over your device’s camera is always an option. When it comes to smart speakers from the likes of Amazon or Google, keep in mind that these products come with a mute feature. This feature allows you to mute the microphone of the device, which means that nothing will be recorded. You won’t even be able to activate the device by accident. If the device is hijacked, then having the mute feature in place will ensure that no one can listen to your conversation.
Some will go so far as to advocate avoiding these devices altogether. Everyone generally accepts the reality that smartphones are a vital component to our society. However, some security experts believe that utilizing these smart appliances and other products represent a distinct crossing into a degree of vulnerability that is too serious to ignore. This is why we must always do our research and take proper precautions when it comes to smart home devices.
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