Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become increasingly popular over the last few years. They include things like security cameras, speakers, TVs, cell phones, and fitness trackers. About 69% of households in the U.S. have at least one smart device in their home, designed to make life easier, safer, and more convenient.
While IoT devices have many benefits, there are also some potential risks that go along with them. The biggest issue is that without proper precautions, these devices can be hacked. In fact, smart home devices have become popular targets for hackers since so many people use them without protections in place.
Thankfully, you can keep yourself and your devices secure with a few simple steps. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to protect your IoT devices and your sensitive information. Let’s cover a few actionable ways you can keep them secure and feel more comfortable using them every day.
1. Create Strong Passwords
One of the easiest ways to keep your devices more secure is to make sure everything is password-protected. That doesn’t mean using your pet’s name or your street address as your password. Choose something strong and unique to make it difficult for hackers to “crack” into your system. Cybercriminals can end up doing an account takeover if they’re able to hack your password. That enables them to roam free within your account and device. Depending on what it is they’ve hacked, they could have access to anything from your security footage to your bank account.
If you’re not sure what a strong password should include, implement some of the following tips:
- Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols;
- Don’t use the same password for every account;
- Change your passwords periodically;
- Don’t use ties to your personal information.
Additionally, make sure you’re enabling two-factor authentication whenever it’s available. Even if a hacker does crack your password, they still won’t be able to break into your account, and you’ll be made aware that someone is trying to log in.
2. Monitor Activity
It’s important to monitor your devices regularly to keep track of any strange activity or changes. For example, some IoT devices like computers and smartphones are used to communicate sensitive information like schedules, health documentation, and financial accounts. You might even use your cell phone to email or text your healthcare provider that can serve as an entry-point for hackers.
If you aren’t regularly monitoring activity on these devices, you’ll never notice if something is “off.” Make a point to regularly check things like bank accounts, data from wearable healthtech, any healthcare portals you might use with your doctor, and other technology that stores important personal information. While monitoring isn’t necessarily a preventative step in securing your devices, it will allow you to take action swiftly if you notice strange activity.
3. Isolate Your IoT Devices
Smart home devices are becoming more popular, and with the introduction of everything from smart toilets to garden robots, these devices will undoubtedly continue to show up in more homes over the next few years.
Whether you currently have multiple devices in your home or you plan to get more in the near future, one of the best ways to beef up your smart home security is by isolating those IoT devices on their own network.
If a hacker can get into your home Wi-Fi network, they’ll also have access to anything connected to that network, including all of your smart home devices like security cameras. Isolating your IoT devices on their own separate, password-protected network adds an additional layer of protection to those devices. Many of today’s routers allow you to create a secondary guest network, making it easy to connect your smart devices in just a few minutes.
4. Don’t Rely on Default Privacy Settings
Most IoT devices, including smartphones, are set up with default privacy settings from the manufacturer. While there’s nothing wrong with these settings, they often aren’t as strong as they could be. Smart device manufacturers want as much data and information as possible from their users, so they typically don’t take the time to implement strong security measures on their devices.
You can mitigate that by going to the control panel of your devices and implementing custom security settings that best fit your needs. Do it for every device so you can make necessary adjustments based on each family member’s preferences or what information you want to protect. Additionally, you can boost your privacy by disabling remote access features you don’t need, including microphones and cameras.
As you can see, securing your IoT devices doesn’t have to take a lot of time or tech experience. By staying vigilant and making a few changes to your devices, you can add important layers of protection that will keep yourself, your family, and your sensitive information safe from hackers.