Your Home Anti-Theft Alarm Is Set, but Are You Safe Online? 5 Crucial Cybersecurity Tips

Written by Posted On Thursday, 22 November 2018 06:59

You’ve just moved to a great neighborhood and secured your house with an anti-theft alarm. Feeling safe yet? There’s nothing more important than keeping your family protected from wicked people and their malicious intentions, but your smart home system is unfortunately not where the threats stop.

Security-wise, the real danger lurks from the inside. Even though the digital age has graced us with limitless connectivity and smart technology, it has also made us vulnerable to cyber attacks. Keep your smart devices unprotected, and there won’t be a lock, alarm, or sensor that could keep you covered.

Here’s how to practice cybersecurity in your new home, in five simple steps.

  1. Don’t Neglect Your Devices’ Safety

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GwTNOd8vM-AWC1g5xfFGf3GfhLDN3-rVKSg6xPQG3CHbeEnjeG_NQDmPXGWVZ1OtVMRsS7qr7FM6bPAfgCevo6JjVQo1ws3lYL4MgOELdvFukuR9mpiy61UC9dr8ySwvYrUckrDVxdCidE3o4gHaving the latest word of technology is not enough – all systems are vulnerable to cyber attacks, no matter how sophisticated they are. Spend some quality time with your devices and get to know their security features. If you want them protected, you’ll need to stay up-to-date at all times.

For you as a user of smart devices, this means staying informed on everything that’s going on in the cybersecurity world. For your devices, this entails exactly what staying up-to-date suggests, and that’s having the latest security updates available. Always check for new software updates for your systems.

  1. Manage Your Passwords with Care

Someone should write a book on managing passwords in the digital age already, as weak identification codes represent a number one threat to our smart devices. Despite our best efforts, establishing a systematic approach to passwords is now trickier than ever. We have a few tips on how to tackle this:

  • Start using a password management app, since this convenient little tool can help you generate unbreakable codes for all your accounts, as well as to store them safely. Remember to update them regularly (you should do this every 90 days or so).

  • Learn how to create strong passwords yourself, in case you want them to be personalized. Don’t use anything that can be easily traced back to you – if you can’t remember a random string of letters, then combine a memorable phrase with numbers and other characters.

  • Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts. Likewise, never share your passwords with others and don’t write them down in plain sight. If you must have them on paper, then keep them under the lock along with other sensitive documents you have in your home.

 

  1. Protect All Sensitive Data with VPN

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/bIXtKri6yR6jB9WfQgTdcZRw6y0JfTX4z9A1W8XCTwIFlAVJD_QH7yYYNIWtJ1qDsia6Gi5cDGmIpRiAs6yaPQG7l5SGJjCK1O0mPSLP_htEMtrQBR89yNDeqF5ptl-0BOWFLbCY9DUMraaY2wA (VPN) is your go-to solution for every online activity that can expose you to prying eyes. By masking your IP address and disguising your personal information, VPN protects every bit of sensitive data that can be found on your desktop and mobile devices alike. It will even keep you hidden from your ISP and create a safe gaming environment for your kids (and, let’s be honest, you). Today, there are plenty of VPN options available not only for desktop but mobile, both Android (get it here) and iOS, too.

  1. Use a Trusted Anti-Virus Protection

There shouldn’t be a single device in your home that isn’t protected with reliable anti-virus software. Never download and install these programs from unknown and suspicious sources, only stick with widely recognized ones. Alternatively, do your own research to see what other options are available.

Without good anti-virus protection, your device can be targeted as vulnerable every time you use a public wireless hot-spot or plug a flash drive into the computer. Back it up with a firewall for an additional layer of protection. Windows and Mac come with built-in desktop firewalls, so make sure they work.

  1. Teach Your Family About Cybersafety

Most importantly, stay in the loop with current cybersecurity developments. Thorough guides can be found all over the internet, and some sources even offer online tutorials. Do your homework and teach the rest of your family how to use their devices. To cyber criminals, one weak link is more than enough.

Reconsider what you’re sharing on social media, for example, bank and shop online only on password-protected devices and trusted websites. Also, never forget to log out of these sites when you’ve completed your transactions. A single piece of sensitive data can expose all your smart devices.

Even though data breaches are now just as frequent as physical theft, many families around the world remain unaware of the problems that cybercrime can cause. Caring for material goods is only one part of being responsible – the second half goes to practicing cybersecurity across all devices.

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James Stevenson

Hi, My name is James and I've been involved in the property and real estate industry for 10 years now. I hope people will like to read about my thoughts and experiences in the industry and please contact me if you want to discuss my articles further!

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