Security Risks Of Using Smart Devices At Home

Smart devices are all the rage of the day, and they are supposed to be the rage of the future as well. From the technological aspect, it’s not quite difficult to understand. Home security, heating and cooling, as well as lighting systems that can be controlled remotely are attractive prospects no doubt. But these sophisticated systems suffer from an acute lack of security. While IoT devices can be controlled from anywhere using the internet, it’s true that they can be controlled by someone other than you. Since all it takes to control these devices is access to them via the internet, this can be easily done.

What the Security Threats to IoT?

Smart devices help automate many of the regular tasks at home. However, they can be as disadvantageous for you as they can be helpful. It must be mentioned that as with most other attack vectors smart devices are mostly attacked because of lack of knowledge and precautions on the user’s behalf. However, it doesn’t hide the fact that smart devices at home can be easily manipulated to cause havoc in homes.

There have been many instances of smart devices being manipulated by malicious users. The attacks are made successful due to a variety of reasons. In some cases, hackers gain access to the smart devices and systems like home security systems because users do not change the default password. Once the malicious user cracks the default password used by any manufacturer, he or she can control all systems that use that password. In other cases, security loopholes in the devices themselves help the hackers in getting their job done. Lastly, a lack of security and anonymity on the internet helps the malicious users get as much information about smart devices that users use at home as they want.

How to be safe?

The main concern behind IoT devices, ironically, is what makes them so attractive. It is the fact that all IoT devices share data among themselves over the internet. Information is the currency in this digital age, and with the number of devices expected to rise to 24 billion by 2020, things are only going to get worse.

If you want to ensure the security of your smart devices, you have to take precautions.

Change your password

The primary cause for smart devices being manipulated is that users do not change the default passwords which the manufacturers use. It has happened on a few occasions that the manufacturers were attacked and the default password stolen. Then, hackers could control all devices and systems that still used that password. So, change the password as soon as you install a security system or other such systems.

Use a VPN to secure your network

Advertisement

If you can control your smart devices while sitting in a different city, then anyone else can do the same. Once a user gains access to your device, he or she can control it from anywhere. If you secure the way your devices share data, then it becomes difficult for hackers to intercept it.

VPNs encrypt all the traffic shared over the network. This means that nobody will be able to see that a smart device is sharing some usage data with other devices. It will also hide the fact that you are interacting with your device, providing you privacy. Learn more how you can protect your privacy by visiting https://hide.me/software/windows

The security of smart devices is a worrying issue. The ease of hacking into such devices is quite alarming. Therefore, you ought to make all the security precautions you can take. In addition to these two tips, you should never hesitate to hire or consult an expert regarding your smart devices’ security.