Smart Home: Why Security Is Important?

In the last couple of posts I wrote about the benefits and potential down sides of having a smart home. One of the down sides I mentioned was: Security. Here are some tips for improving the security of your smart home.

Almost every smart device relies on an internet connection. So with this there is always a potential risk of hacking and data breaches. However with the right precautions and safeguards, smart home can be just as secure as traditional homes. So here are some tips for improving the security of your smart home.

1. Secure and separate your network: Perhaps this should be the first step of creating a smart home. Make sure that you put your smart home devices in a separate network. This way they can’t interact with your other devices such as laptop, NAS, smart phone etc. Also, use a strong password and encryption to secure your Wi-Fi network
2. Use strong passwords: A lot of (smart) devices come with standard username & passwords from factory. Always make sure to change those password and always use strong, unique passwords for all your smart home devices and accounts. Use a password manager for this!
3. Use two-factor authentication: Make a habit to always use two-factor authentication wherever it’s possible! Two-factor authentication can provide an extra layer of security by requiring a code in addition to a password.
4. Keep your devices up-to-date: Make a routine to check update your smart devices to ensure they have the latest security patches and firmware.
5. Disable unnecessary features: Disable any features or services you don’t need, such as remote access, to reduce the potential attack surface.
6. Be cautious with third-party apps: Only download and use apps from trusted sources. Make sure that you understand the permissions before granting access to your smart home devices.
7. Regularly check for suspicious activity: Setting up a device is one thing, but you need to maintain it as well. Keep an eye on your smart home devices for any unusual activity, such as lights turning on or off unexpectedly. While it could be glitch, it could be indicate something else.

By taking these precautions, you can increase the security of your smart home as well as your other devices. It’s also important to research before you purchase smart home devices. Make sure to buy them from a reliable source and see how the vendor is dealing with security (as in firmware & security patches) and if they have any focus on privacy.