Are you a smart home enthusiast? Have you placed internet of things devices in every corner of the home? If yes, this article is very important for you as I would be discussing the best and convenient approaches to secure your internet of things devices at home.
Please note that smart homes are quite vulnerable to security threats but if the user is careful enough, security can be guaranteed. The fact of the matter is that cybersecurity ought to consistently be the key point when you purchase any smart device.
Moreover, before we dive into the various ways to protect your smart home devices, please note that all your smart home devices are connected with your home network and that makes your internet server a critical point that cannot be messed with. For residents of Texas, Grande is the best service provider offering both cable and internet for home use. However, if you are living in any other state, consider Spectrum since it is available in most states and has a secure setup.
Once you are connected with a secure ISP, starting with the following approaches to boost the security of your smart home devices.
- Know about what you purchase
Purchasing any kind of tech piece without knowing its pros, cons, and specs, is simply a no-go. Your rule of thumb should be to not invest in any item before understanding its functionality. You can read customer reviews, expert feedback, company manuals, and other details for this matter.
By embracing this routine, you would have the option to find the possible security risks you might defy later on and you would know about the obligations of the company as well.
Furthermore, purchasing internet of things devices from prestigious brands is always a better option. Moreover, another rule with getting tech devices is to always choose ones that are convenient to set up, feature customization, offer regular software updates, and permit you to change default passwords.
- Get them installed professionally
I know that taking care of a technical installation is a fulfilling experience; however, you should know the extent of it. While you might be able to change a tire or fix a pipe, handling the installation of the internet of things devices can be challenging as you might not be able to exclude the security issues. For this reason, please allow the professionals to set up your internet of things devices as much as possible. They would know about the complications and their solutions as well.
In addition, if something does not add up, we suggest that you contact the company’s customer care unit so they can handle the problem expertly and quickly.
- Stay in touch With The Manufacturing Company
Since the internet of things is a newer idea, the manufacturing companies are working interminably to discover way-outs for security issues. They continue to roll out new security solutions that can assist you with getting your smart home devices secure, thus keeping in touch with them is an incredible method to help your smart home security.
Having said that, know that you are investing a lot of money on these devices in order to get more mental peace and convenience. On this account, make sure to only agree with the terms that you feel comfortable with. You should only give permissions to the manufacturer for things that you want and if they ask for any unnecessary permissions, you have the right to say retract.
- MAKE A DIFFERENT GUEST NETWORK
Making a different guest network can be an extraordinary advance towards getting your smart home devices secure. This is because your home network controls the supply of internet for all the smart home devices and you should never let anyone, even your close relatives and friends, mess up with your internet of things devices. Likewise, it is smarter to share a guest network key with visitors so that there can be no cybersecurity breach. Also, it will avoid bandwidth haggling.
- Always use a password
Most internet of things devices have a pre-set default password but please understand that keeping the same pre-set password for your devices can bring about a lot of security threats. On this account, you should change the default name and password of the device when you enter it into your network.
Moreover, remember to avoid using common things like a relative’s or pet’s name, or significant-for-you dates. Make sure to set a password that is hard to crack so nobody can penetrate your network.
In addition, it is also recommended to disable all the product settings that do not suit you, for example, remote access makes it simple for cybercriminals to intrude on your network, and it is better to disable it.
- Update your software
Software updates come up with security patches and so it is really important that you keep your internet of things devices up-to-date. Also, please note that you would be controlling most of your smart home devices through your smartphone and so keeping it secure is also important. Make sure to install and apply all of its updates as soon as possible.
- Avoid Public Wi-Fi Networks
While it is very convenient to use a public Wi-Fi connection since it is open and free, there are a lot of security risks that come with ease. Since the public networks are open for everyone, cybercriminals might also be connected with them and use malware to get into your devices. As such, always remember to avoid public Wi-Fi networks, however, if there is a critical need to use the internet and the only available option is a public network, make sure to enable your VPN service before using it. A VPN allows you to browse securely and protects your data at all times.
- Final Thoughts
All of the steps mentioned in this article are sure ways to protect your internet of things devices. One thing you should know is that with the increase in usage of internet technology, it is easier for hackers to breach your devices and network and the security risks are higher. Nonetheless, if you are cautious and keep taking the necessary security steps to protect your home network and the connected smart home devices, you might be able to keep yourself secure from outside threats.
In addition, new security patches are released every other day and so you should keep your eyes on the latest security approaches and make sure to incorporate them into your network.
I hope this article would have helped you thoroughly. Stay safe and secure!