Securing the Smart Home: 7 Essential Cybersecurity Tips for Your Connected Devices

In an era where digital devices dominate our daily lives, it’s common for households to have multiple smart home devices. Statistics indicate that there are at least three devices per individual, with North Americans averaging around nine devices each. It’s crucial to understand that having an increased number of devices and users on a single network can pose significant risks. 

If one device becomes infected, it can compromise the entire network. To mitigate the fallout and reduce the chances of cyberattacks, certain measures must be taken. Here are 7 Essential Cybersecurity Tips you can follow to secure smart home devices in your household and ensure your network.  

Cybersecurity Tips to Secure Smart Home Devices

Keep Software Updated to The Most Recent

 Keeping your smart devices’ software and firmware updated is crucial for security. Manufacturers release updates to patch vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and sometimes introduce new features. Failure to update your devices can leave them exposed to known vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Many devices offer automatic update options, which should be enabled if available.  

Automatic updates ensure that your devices receive the latest security patches as soon as they are released without requiring manual intervention. Updates can also enhance the overall performance and functionality of your devices, making them not only more secure but also more reliable and efficient.  

When updating firmware, ensure that the power supply is stable, as interruptions during the update process can sometimes corrupt the firmware, potentially rendering the device unusable.

Change Default Passwords

Manufacturers tend to ship devices with default credentials that are widely known and easily accessible to anyone. These default passwords are typically weak and predictable, such as “admin” or “password123”, making them a prime target for brute-force attacks. So, the first step is to ensure you change them and secure your smart devices’ security.

Ensure the new password is a strong and unique one. This means having a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable information such as birthdays, names, or simple sequences like “1234”. 

A password manager may come in handy in generating and storing complex passwords thus ensuring that each device has a unique password. Additionally, ensure you regularly update your passwords and avoid reusing old ones. 

Secure Your Home Network!

To secure your home network, start by changing the default SSID (network name) and using a strong password for your Wi-Fi. Avoid easily guessable SSIDs like your name or address and opt for something unique. Additionally, enable WPA3 encryption, the latest and most secure Wi-Fi encryption standard, if your router supports it. If not, WPA2 is the next best option. Older protocols like WEP or WPA are much less secure and should be avoided. 

To further security, set up a guest network for visitors. This separates your primary network, ensuring that guest devices don’t have access to your smart devices and other sensitive data. For every network, enable network-level security features like firewalls and disable remote management unless it is absolutely necessary. Use network monitoring tools to keep an eye on the devices connected to your network. This can help you quickly identify and address any unauthorised connections. 

Disable Unused Features

Smart devices often come with numerous features and services enabled by default. While these features can enhance usability, they can also introduce security risks if not properly managed. Disable any features or services that you do not use to reduce potential attack vectors. Remote access features are an example of this. They allow you to control your devices from outside your home network, but they also present an additional risk. 

Unless you require remote access, disable this feature to prevent unauthorized control of your devices. Review the privacy settings of each device and disable any unnecessary data sharing. Some devices collect and transmit more data than necessary, potentially exposing personal information. Check the manufacturer’s privacy policy and adjust the settings accordingly. 

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication 

Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, adds an extra layer of security to your devices by requiring not only a password other forms of verification. These can be receiving a verification code on your devices, or biometric verification like fingerprints or facial recognition, or something only you would know like an additional PIN or security question. 

By enabling MFA, even if a malicious actor obtains your password, they still need the second form of verification to gain access. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised access. Many smart devices and their associated apps do actually offer MFA options. 

Ensure these are always enabled if available to you. On a side note, ensure you have backup codes or alternative methods of authentication in case you lose access to your primary 2FA device. This can prevent being locked out of your own devices. 

Monitor Devices Regularly

Regular monitoring of your connected smart devices is essential to detect any unusual or unauthorized activity early. Use network monitoring tools to keep track of all devices connected to your home network. Applications like Fing or built-in router tools can provide visibility into your network. Ensure you set up alerts for new device connections or unusual activity. Many advanced routers offer this functionality, notifying you of any new devices connecting to your network. This helps you quickly identify and address any unauthorized connections. 

Regularly review device logs and settings to ensure there are no unexpected changes. For example, if a device’s firmware version has changed without your knowledge, it could indicate a potential security issue. If your devices support it, enable logging and review the logs periodically. Logs can provide valuable insights into the activities and behaviours of your devices, helping you identify potential security issues. 

Implement Network Segmentation

Network segmentation involves dividing your home network into separate segments or subnets. This practice limits the potential impact of a security breach by isolating different types of devices. To implement network segmentation, use a router that supports multiple SSIDs or VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks). Set up different SSIDs for different device categories as by isolating smart devices on a separate network, you limit their access to your main devices and sensitive data.  

If a smart device is compromised, the attacker would have restricted access and wouldn’t easily reach other devices on your network. Network segmentation also helps manage network traffic more efficiently, improving overall network performance. Regularly review and update your network segmentation strategy as you add new devices or as your needs change. Ensure that each segment is properly secured with strong encryption and unique passwords. 

Implementing these measures is particularly crucial in large shared or family households, where a single breach can compromise multiple devices. It’s not just about exercising caution but also about upholding responsibility. It is essential to prioritize the security of smart home devices and data, ensuring robust protection protocols are in place. By doing so, we not only safeguard our own information but also contribute to the security and privacy of others within our network.  

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