Key Takeaways for ZDNET
- Users can take steps to reduce the risk of a smart home attack.
- Strong passwords, MFA, and secure setup improve device security.
- Research smart device brands before making a purchase.
As a smart home user, I pause any time there’s a major data breach in the news cycle, especially one involving devices I own or recommend, like security cameras. Recent reports have highlighted the question: How easy is it for your smart home devices to be hacked?
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Most of us have some Internet of Things (IoT) device at home, whether it’s a phone, a tablet, or an array of security cameras and sensors. When you know that 120,000 home security cameras were hacked In South Korea for sexploitation footage, it makes you think twice before adding such devices to your home, the most sacred place for privacy.
Can someone hack my smart home?
All smart homes are at risk of being hacked, but this is not a likely event. The type of bad actors targeting homes and smart devices, like security cameras, are opportunistic. They randomly look for easy targets – they don’t tend to pick a specific house to attack and then try to circumvent that specific system.
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The best way to prevent an attack on your smart home devices is to not be an easy target. Unfortunately, many of the smart home hacks you hear about in news reports happen because people fail to follow the necessary security steps that would protect against those attacks.
How can I protect my smart home from hackers?
Using weak passwords, failing to update your firmware, or exposing Wi-Fi networks puts you at risk of these attacks, even if the risk is still very low. Here’s a breakdown of things you can do to protect your smart home devices from hackers:
1. Protect your passwords
You’ve probably seen the news about hackers being able to access baby monitors and talk through them using two-way audio – this usually happens when the default password is never changed.
Likewise, weak passwords can be easily guessed. If you reuse a password that was involved in a data breach, you are also at risk of being hacked.
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To this end, use strong, unique passwords for each account and/or device. You want to make your devices so secure that it’s not worth an attacker’s effort.
2. Turn on two-factor or multi-factor authentication
Enabling multi-factor authentication also protects your password, because if someone steals it, they’ll still need a second layer of approval from you to access your account. Many smart home device and account brands offer this feature, including Amazon, Google, and Philips Hue.
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Two-factor authentication can be a bit annoying sometimes, because it requires taking extra steps to log in and access your account; However, it is worth making the effort to prevent unauthorized access.
3. Secure your Wi-Fi network
Protecting your Wi-Fi network may seem basic, but it’s something most people ignore. To secure your Wi-Fi network, use WPA2 or WPA3 and always change the default password on your router – otherwise your wireless network will remain exposed.
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Avoid sharing your Wi-Fi password widely. You can also consider creating a guest network for visitors and a separate network for smart home devices. I use a separate network for smart home devices. There is a main Wi-Fi network that we use to connect our personal devices, such as laptops, tablets, and computers. Then there’s just one IoT device, which we connect our smart plugs, robot vacuums, and everything else to.
4. Keep your firmware updated
Whenever possible, enable automatic updates on each device to ensure they get the latest software updates. Manufacturers often encounter security vulnerabilities and send updates over the air to patch these vulnerabilities, so it’s always important to make sure your devices have the latest firmware.
5. Turn off unnecessary features
The next step is to deactivate any features on your device that you don’t use or need, especially if those features make you vulnerable to attacks. If you do not need remote access and it is possible to disable this feature on the device, do so.
You’ll only be able to access your device locally when you’re near it, but it also protects it from malicious elements, especially if it’s equipped with a camera.
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It’s also a good idea to turn off Universal Plug and Play on your router and turn down any unnecessary integrations in your devices that aren’t essential to you. If there’s something you feel you don’t need, keep saying no.
6. Research the brand you are buying
Always research the brand and its best practices before making a purchase. Sure, I would say only buy trusted brands, but a lot of big, trusted brands have been the target of very minor attacks and exposures, like Wyze, Eufy, and Google.
Don’t rely on the idea that a brand is reliable just because it is well-known. Research the brand and its security measures to ensure user data is protected. If a brand only advertises features like local storage, and this is a very important consideration for you, check this with reviews, user experiences on sites like Reddit, and real-world experiences.
