Digital technology is taking up increasingly more space in our lives. Traditionally, it might have only been our PC or laptop, then smartphones and tablets, but now pretty much anything in the home can be replaced with a smart variant. Smart TVs, smart home hubs, smart cameras, not to mention game consoles and other entertainment media. However, as convenient as it can be, it should also be noted that smart technology is also vulnerable to all kinds of digital malpractice. Here are a few ways to protect yourself.
Be smart with your passwords
In a lot of cases, hacking isn’t a result of some master cracker outsmarting your security settings, but rather simple human error. Using the same password for everything is a major concern. Password leaks do happen and people who take advantage of them will use your password to try break into every account they can find associated with your name. Similarly, you should beware of any email or message asking for your password and login details, as these are often phishing attempts by those looking to steal from you. Password managers like LastPass can help you be smarter with your passwords.
Safeguard your connections
Aside from your password, your connection to the internet or any other network can be one of the biggest vulnerabilities in your system. Right now, virtual private networks are one of the strongest defenses you can have, encrypting your connection so that hackers can’t eavesdrop and see what you’re doing online. VPNs exist for computers and smartphones, but there are also specialized options like TroyPoint for devices like Fire TV sticks. Any device that connects directly to the internet should have a VPN to make sure that they’re not the one vulnerability in your system.
Invest in quality protections
Aside from decrypting your connection, there are other safeguards that you can employ to keep would-be intruders at the door. While VPNs encrypt your connection, making it harder to eave-drop, a good smart home firewall like Cujo offers a layer of additional protection, effectively acting as a security wall for your devices. You might already have a firewall for your PC and laptop, but it’s important to use one for other smart devices in the home, as well.
Disable features that might open some doors
A lot of smart home devices come with additional features that allow other devices to connect to them. Some, like a smart home hub, might be essential for operating them. However, features that allow things like your smartphone to connect to your smart TV might not ever get used. Even while out of us, however, they do provide a connection that a hacker that gets into one part of the system could potentially exploit. As such, it’s wise to disable any device connections you’re not using.
Most homes are going to be relatively safe from hacking attempts, but anyone can be targeted and any system exploited if you give hackers the keys to your system. Hopefully, the tips above show that you can protect any device you own that’s connected.
