How to Defend Your Smart Home

Over half of U.S. households have at least one Internet of Things device in their home. Voice assistants are one of the most popular smart home devices followed by smart thermostats. By 2027, it is estimated that the IoT market will yield $520 billion in market revenue.

Smart devices have a variety of benefits. Smart heating and cooling system save users 50% in energy use. 57% of people who use smart devices say it saves them time, and homes with smart features installed sell better on the market. While smart devices have time and cost-saving benefits, how vulnerable does it make users to a cyber attack?

Almost half of all smart homes have at least one device that can put the entire home in danger, so it’s vital that you protect your home and devices as best as possible.

Secure Your Wi-Fi Network: Even if you don’t own any smart devices, it’s important to secure your wireless network. Most routers come with a generic password, so your first step in securing your home is to create a strong password for your network. Use a passphrase with varying characters, and make sure it is a password you haven’t used elsewhere.
Use Secure Passwords: In addition to your Wi-Fi password, you can set unique passwords for your connected devices. While using the same password may be convenient, it poses a great security risk. Instead, use strong, unique passwords for each of your devices.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication: Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) will even further secure your devices as it will require your unique password and a second form or authentication, typically a six-digit code through text message or email.
Register Your Devices: Registering your devices with the manufacturer is an important step in securing your home. This will allow manufacturers to automatically install software updates that address any newfound bugs and security concerns. If a vulnerability is identified, registered devices will be automatically updated.
Monitor Your Network: Finally, you can monitor your network for vulnerabilities. Add firewalls and install single applications to manage all your devices in one place.