By Hank Ozzy
With the way modern homes are set up, with many smart applications and smart security products, there is a need to look not only at the way in which we can protect our home from (and to deter) burglars, but also how we can protect the data and information about our homes and family from hackers. We are living in a brave new world where technology is everywhere. Integrated smart tech has dramatically changed and improved how we protect our homes, but it also brings up the dilemma of how to protect from hackers. Here, we look at a few tips on how to stay safe when using smart security products in the home.
To make sure that you are as safe as possible from hackers and potential attack of your smart home and technology it is important that you consider exactly what it is that you need in your home. Are you looking for a security camera that connects to your smart home alarm system? Do you want to get a smart speaker or smart thermostat that allows you to control the heating in your home from multiple locations? Make a list of what it is you are looking for exactly and don’t compromise your security.
Whatever you decide to do, ensure that your Wi-Fi network is secured. When you first get a new router, change the password to something that is difficult to get around. Most routers will also have device names that make them easy to identify, providing a route for hackers to get past them. Consider changing the SSID (the name of the Wi-Fi network) when you change the password. Once you have secured the network itself, make sure that every single device that you connect to the Wi-Fi network is also protected. If you have many smart devices, including smart security products that you control through a mobile app, ensure that you have different passwords for each, even though this might seem convenient – if you can also implement two-factor authentication this will ensure another level again of security to get through.
Always keep an eye on the network, monitoring for vulnerabilities and adding a firewall to the network that adds an extra layer of security and allows you to manage individual devices in an even more controlled way. On top of this, it is important to regularly upgrade firmware and replace routers that have become outdated.
Much of what we do to protect our smart applications, and the modern nature of integrated smart homes, comes down to the home security solutions that we choose. Finding a supplier of home alarms and smart security products that you can trust and that will provide you with as much information as possible before you commit to a purchase will help you choose the safest smart security products for your home. Once you have trust in a supplier you can do everything to remain updated and have peace of mind that your home is fully protected, not only from burglars but from hackers.
