How to Secure Your Smart Home Devices From Cyber Threats: 5 Effective Ways

The Internet of Things has brought us to a point where we have electrical devices in our homes that we simply control using voice assistance, mobile applications, or computers via the home network. These smart devices range from modern TVs, washing machines, and fridges, to security cameras, fitness trackers, and speakers. 

But with that comes the question, how to secure your smart home devices from cyber threats because as technology advances, the bad guys also advance their cyber attack tactics. They look for loopholes to attack those smart devices. From there, they find access to the main home network, steal data, or even cause malfunctions and then demand for ransom. But, fortunately, I have compiled for you tips on how to secure your smart home devices from cyber threats.  

How to Secure Your Smart Home Devices From Cyber Threats

Smart devices are good because controlling them is much easier, and they can do advanced functions with minimal monitoring. For instance, you only need to use voice assistants such as Apple Siri or Amazon Alexa to talk to your smart speakers and stream your favorite music from services such as Apple Music, Pandora, or Spotify.

You can imagine the beauty of just mentioning the music while lying on the couch, and there it comes! Plus, you set the volume, bass, and such. It’s beautiful. But, using these devices means connecting them to your home network. Remember, once connected, you share the same internet, the very one holding your important things like credit card information.  

If hackers can manipulate the device and access the broad network, they can access your online accounts and even make purchases. It’s that serious. Imagine a hacker accessing your voice commands from a speaker, and then using it to unlock your car. Enough of that! Here are different ways you can secure these smart devices from cyber threats.

Use a Strong Password

Using a strong password might sound like a basic protection feature, but it works. Some of these smart devices don’t have a limit on the number of times you can try passwords. For instance, there might be no limit on the number of times a person can attempt to log into your home network or security cameras. 

That means attackers can use brute force, automating password trials until they crack the correct one. The attacks rely on trial and error, attempting different combinations. If your password is short and contains one set of characters such as digits or alphabets, it’s easier to crack. 

To be on the safer side, use lengthy passwords with different character combinations, such as digits, alphabets, and symbols. Also, avoid reusing passwords. For instance, your security camera password should not be the same as your home network password or your email password. Another thing, avoid using obvious things like your ID number or phone number as a password.

Encrypt the Data

Encryption is basically scrambling information with a secret code. You change the readable plaintext into unreadable ciphertext. The ciphertext requires a secret code to unlock the scrambled information. Otherwise, the information appears gibberish. For example, if you send your credit card information without encryption, it means anybody who can access the network can see the card information as it is. 

However, with encryption, a mathematical formula will scramble the plaintext into ciphertext using a secret key before it goes through the network. When the information reaches the end device, it uses the same secret key to decrypt the information back to plaintext. That means a cyber attack on the network can only give access to the gibberish ciphertext. 

So, to keep your connections secure when surfing the web, encrypt using a secure socket layer (SSL) or virtual private number (VPN). For the data, encrypt using encryption software such as FileVault for Mac and BitLocker for Windows.  

Use Multi-Factor Authentication

Strong passwords aren’t sure bets. If the automated software is given enough time to keep trying, it might end up cracking it. Attackers might even use software like keyloggers attached to malicious emails. Once installed in your phone or computer, they record your key presses. This exposes your password to attackers. 

The multi-factor authentication adds an extra security layer. Once the attackers enter the correct password, the system uses different means to confirm it’s really you. In most cases, MFA uses a code sent via SMS email, or biometric scans. The good thing with MFA is that you can know there was an attempted login, and immediately change the password. 

Update the Device Firmware

All smart devices have software that controls them and helps them connect to the internet. As time goes by, attackers come up with sophisticated software to breach these firmware securities. On the other hand, device manufacturers advance their device’s protection against attackers through security patches. 

So, when your device becomes outdated, it means its security is outdated and no match against advanced attacks. The best way to prevent this is to keep your device firmware up to date by installing the security patches immediately after they are released. 

To make the process easier, just ensure your devices are connected to the internet with the automatic updates turned on. You can also check the updates manually if the device is not linked to the manufacturer account to receive auto updates. 

Use Separate Networks

I have already mentioned the weaknesses of some of these smart devices, such as not having the maximum login attempts or having a limitation on the length of password to use. That means one of your devices can be the weak point and entry point for cyber attacks. The best way to keep things under control is to use separate networks. 

Most routers have the option of setting a secondary or guest network. Use this configuration to connect to less secure home devices such as fridges, dishwashers, and speakers. After all, an attacker might not see the point of hacking into a dishwasher or fridge, if there is no way to reach the broader network. 

Final Thoughts

Smart devices are good, but if you don’t keep them secure, they can become an entry point for cyber attacks into the broader network. The best ways to keep them secure from cyber threats are to use strong passwords, and multi-factor authentication, encrypt your data, and keep the devices’ firmware up to date.   

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