Smart home safeguards against hacking – Australian Registered Cablers

Global consumer spending on home tech is predicted to hit a record $128B this year, but all those online gadgets offers cyber criminals a possible entry to your home.

Smart home cybersecurity is now a red hot topic and with lots of companies offering all sorts of solutions. However it helps to have an overview before you jump in according to Residential Tech Today—here’s their 7 must do steps.

1. Better Password Habits

Poor password management is a common weakness. When you’re setting up these systems, make sure to change all passwords and use different ones for each device. Where possible you should turn on two-factor authentication to create another layer of cybersecurity in case a hacker gets past the password. It’s also a good idea to change all passwords every six months.

2. Automatic Updates for Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is rapidly evolving and as tech companies discover new vulnerabilities, they release updates to fix them. Installing these patches as soon as possible ensures your devices don’t have old vulnerabilities hackers could use. It’s best to allow them to do so automatically when setting them up.

3. Secure the Router

If the router’s not secure, it can act as a gateway to all the devices it hosts, so it deserves some attention. You should change the router’s password from the default to something stronger and at same time change the router’s name since the default can tell hackers its make and model. Finally, go into the router’s settings and make sure you’re using WPA2, which encrypts data on the network.

4. Host Smart Tech on Separate Networks

Keeping everything on different networks mitigates how much a cybercriminal can access if they hack into one. Many routers have an option to create multiple networks, so you can use one for IoT devices and another for everything else. You could even utilise a unique network for each room. If your router doesn’t enable this segmentation, you can get another one to host a new system.

5. Find a Qualified Cybersecurity Service

Plenty of cybersecurity vendors today offer IoT security solutions that you can get to provide an added layer of safety. These services can range from simple anti-malware protection to 24/7 network monitoring, so there’s something for every situation.

6. Pen-Test the System

Penetration testing determines how vulnerable your system is by trying to break into it. When you hire a pen-tester, they will attempt to hack into your network through various methods and then present you with ways to improve. Getting these tests done periodically will ensure you are protected from evolving threats.

7. Factory Reset Equipment Before Upgrading

Whenever you upgrade any part of the smart home system, remember that trashed devices can still be useful to hackers. IoT items store information like Wi-Fi credentials or sensitive user data. If you throw away old gadgets without wiping them, someone could find them and access this information. If you’re upgrading a smart home, do a factory reset on any old equipment. This will make sure it will not serve as a way into the network.

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