SECURITEL BLOG

You've got tons of internet-enabled smart home security to keep your home secure- here's how you can be sure it's protected against internet-based attacks.

Smart devices and smart home automation have made our homes safer, more convenient, and given us extraordinary tools that used to be the stuff of sci-fi movies. All these devices are able to speak to each other so perfectly (and over such long distances) because instead of relying on a local network, they’re sending and receiving data over the Internet. Unfortunately, that does make them vulnerable to skilled hackers, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Whether you’ve just got a simple voice assistant or an entire smart home, there are important – and easy – steps you can take to protect your home against digital attacks.

The first and most important step in your digital security is gaining an awareness of what hackers are looking to do. When we think of hackers, we often think of the bad guy in a Tom Cruise movie, hacking a bank’s mainframe to cause the elevators to shut down and the sprinklers to turn on. Imagining that in your smart home is a scary thought – but the reality of cyber fraud is that it’s often more subtle than that. A hacker can use an unsecured smart device to move backwards into your router, and from there, throughout your home. They could choose to move into your computer and scrape the saved passwords to your accounts. Or, they could operate where the digital world intersects with the physical one, and use your smart devices to spot that you’re on vacation, and plan a burglary. 

Let’s get into some actionable steps to protect your home:

Secure your Wi-Fi Network

• Keep your router current. Most electronic devices are intended to be replaced within three years, and your router is no different. A modern router will make your internet speeds faster, and eliminate security risks posted by out-of-date technology.
• Change your router’s password from the default. Pick a password that is both unique and contains characters in both upper and lower case, as well as punctuation and numerals. 
• Split up your home’s networks. Many routers allow users to create two separate networks from one hardware router, intended for residents and guests – use this to keep your internet connected devices on a guest network (with its own password), and your computers, tablets, and phones on another. As the FBI put simply, “Your fridge and your laptop should not be on the same network.” This way, even in the event of a breach, a hacker won’t be able to jump into your more sensitive data. 

Manage your Passwords

• Always change any smart device’s password away from the default.
• Use discrete passwords per device, instead of one password for all of your devices. Some folks find it easy to use an acronym or a mnemonic phrase.

Two-Factor Authentication

• Many devices and accounts support Two-Factor Authentication, or 2FA. 2FA improves your digital security by requiring you to confirm a login from a device that you’re already logged into. At first this might seem like a burden but it’s actually easy to get used to and then, even if someone does get hold of a password and attempts to login, you’d be notified on your phone, computer, or even another smart device, giving you a heads up to change your passwords. 
• Worth repeating a second time: Always enable Two Step Authentication!

Software/Firmware updates

• Make sure that your device’s software or firmware is up to date. Manufacturers will often push fixes for security vulnerabilities as they are discovered, as part of their commitment to keeping customers safe. Check your device’s settings menu, and make sure to keep your devices up to date. If your device supports it, enable automatic updates to make sure you’re on top of your digital security without having to lift a finger.

SECURITEL provides protection from all types of threats, including hackers

As one of Wisconsin’s fastest-growing security integration companies, our technicians are experts in all aspects of home security, including protecting your smart home from hackers.  Give us a call today at (844) 781-7668 and see how our knowledgeable and friendly staff can help you get the up-to-date protection you need!