How to Keep your Smart Home Safe

New gadgets designed to make life easier pop up on the market every day. They profess to make our lives better and homes smarter; in fact, they all connect to turn your house into a smart home. With all that connectivity, however, comes vulnerability. All those devices that hook up to an internet connection turn your smart home into a potential target for hackers. Learn how to keep your smart home safe from cybercriminals.

Keep All Software up to Date

When your cell phone provider sends you an update, install it immediately. It may be a patch for a security flaw. Your smartphone controls most of the devices in your home, making your phone’s security important. Do the same for any updates to your home’s connected gadgets.

Audit the IoT Devices Already on your Home Network

If you’ve had smart devices for a while, take a look at them and check the functionality. It might be time for an upgrade.

Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication, like a time code sent to your phone, helps keep the crooks out of your accounts. If any of your devices offer 2FA, use it.

Change Usernames and Passwords

Cyber crooks probably already know the default password to many of the smart products out there. It makes it easy for them to access your network.

Change the password immediately to something unique. Avoid using common or familiar passwords that are easy to figure out. Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, and don’t use the same password for other devices. Consider using a password generator to really make it hard to hack.

Disable Features You Don’t Use

Many home smart devices come with various services, such as remote access, that you may not want or need. If you don’t use it, disable it right away—that way, unsavory individuals won’t have access.

Check All the Settings

Most smart devices come with factory privacy and security settings. Check them out to make sure they are in line with what you want.

Set up a Guest Network

Keep your network private. When friends or family come over, have a guest network set up for them to use that doesn’t tie into your IoT devices.

Name Your Router

Change the router name from whatever the manufacturer gave. Name it something strange and unique that doesn’t give away any personal information, such as your address or name.

Use Strong Encryption for Wi-Fi

It’s smart to use a strong encryption method in the router settings, such as WPA2, when you’re setting up the Wi-Fi network access. It’ll help keep the network secure.

Contact us at Denver Sight and Sound for a free consultation on your smart home installation today! With the right safety measures, you can enjoy every bit of your smart home—and all the conveniences that come with it.