Smart homes are on the rise. Statistics show that 127 new devices connect to the internet every second and that the global smart home market could reach $53 billion by 2022. Smart TVs, smart speakers, smart thermostats, smart kitchens, and smart door locks bring convenience to our lives but also expose us to dangers.
As homes become more connected, they become more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Internet of Things (IoT) devices all connect to the internet and therein lies the threat . The internet is crawling with cyber criminals and they have a new target — the smart home. Here’s how to protect your home from ruthless cybercriminals.
Install Anti-virus Software
PCs come with anti-virus software already installed. This basic level of internet security will suffice if you use your PC occasionally. If, however, you spend several hours a day on your computer and mobile devices, work from home, or transact online, then you need to purchase more advanced internet security.
Cybercriminals have a wide variety of weapons in their arsenal. Malware can come in the form of viruses, worms, ransomware, spyware, and botnets. You also need to watch out for pharming and phishing scams .
An unprotected computer is a sitting duck, it’s just a matter of time before it gets hit. Opening a spam email is all it takes for malware to sneak onto your PC. Anti-virus software doesn’t mean you’ll never fall victim to a cyber attack but it does help minimize the risk.
Secure Your Wi-Fi
All smart devices connect to Wi-Fi. This is where the biggest threat for a cyber attack lies. If a hacker cracks the Wi-Fi code, they gain access to all your smart devices and can easily log in to online accounts. They will also be able to bypass your home security system and burgle your house. Take the following steps to secure your Wi-Fi and lower your risk of an intrusion:
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Change the default password that comes with your Wi-Fi router. Always change a new router’s default password and avoid using an obvious Service Set Identifier (SSID) name. For instance, if your name is Mark Jones, don’t use “Jones Wi-Fi” as the SSID and “mjones1” as the password. Think of more obscure names and create longer passwords that include numbers and characters.
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Update to the latest Wi-Fi security protocol. Most Wi-Fi routers today are equipped with WPA2. WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access. It’s a security protocol that encrypts data, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept Wi-Fi networks. WPA3 was released recently and provides stronger protection than WPA2. If your router still has WPA2, ask your internet service provider if it can be upgraded to WPA3.
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Other tips on securing your Wi-Fi include changing the default IP address on the wireless router, disabling remote access, and regularly update the router’s software.
Run Device and App Updates
You may find those never-ending app updates annoying but they are necessary. Cell phone manufacturers and app developers upgrade software regularly for better performance and to block the latest malware developed by hackers. If you want to avoid manual updates, then set all your devices to update automatically and run the updates at night, if you have the option to do so.
Use a VPN
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become very popular in recent years. VPNs help keep your online browsing private by encrypting data and hiding your device’s location. A VPN server acts as a buffer between your device and the destination site you’re trying to reach. The destination site and any other prying eyes on the internet will see the traffic as originating from the VPN server rather than from your device.
VPNs can also be used with smart TVs to watch streaming TV like Netflix and Hulu. VPN services are not expensive and cost, on average, $3-$5 per month. There are some free VPN services but they may not offer the strongest security. If you’ve never used a VPN before, follow this VPN guide that covers all you need to know about VPNs.
Double Up With Mutual Authentication
Mutual authentication, also called two-factor authentication, is when two parties verify each other’s identities. Here are two examples of mutual authentication:
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When making an online payment, your bank may send a text message with a code that you have to input on the bank’s website in order to complete a transaction.
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Email applications, like Gmail, send notifications of suspicious login activity to a user’s alternative email address and ask if they recognize the activity.
If a website or an app offers mutual authentication, always select it. This extra layer of security is very effective in preventing data breaches.
Install a Unified Threat Management System
If setting up all these various forms of internet security is too tedious, you can simplify the process by installing a Unified Threat Management System . A UTM system combines multiple security features in a single platform. They typically include a firewall, anti-virus protection, intrusion detection, spam filtering, a VPN, and web/URL filtering. UTM systems are used in business environments but are available for home offices as well.
California recently introduced a cybersecurity lawthat will require manufacturers to equip their IoT devices with “reasonable” security features that help prevent unauthorized access, modification, or information disclosure. This takes effect on January 1, 2020. While this is an important step towards safer devices, owners of smart devices will still need to implement additional robust security measures to thwart cybercriminals.
