Smart homes have grown in popularity in recent years as more people seek the convenience and automation they provide. You can control everything from your lights and thermostat to your security system and appliances from a single app on your smartphone with smart homes. However, like with any internet-connected device, there are risks associated, including the chance of hackers obtaining access to your house and personal information.
In this post, we’ll look at whether smart homes are safer than traditional homes and offer advice on how to make your home unhackable. We’ll also look at how much information your IoT devices have on you and what you can do to preserve your privacy.
Are Smart Homes More Secure?
The answer to the question of whether smart homes are safer houses is complex, and it depends on a variety of things. On the one hand, smart homes include a variety of security measures that can aid in the protection of you and your property. Many smart home systems, for example, incorporate cameras, motion sensors, and door and window sensors that can detect intruders. Some systems additionally contain smart locks that may be locked or unlocked remotely using your smartphone.
Furthermore, smart homes can enable you remotely monitor your home, which is very beneficial if you’re on vacation or travelling for work. With a smart home system, you can monitor your home from anywhere in the globe and receive notifications if anything unusual occurs.
Smart homes, on the other hand, introduce new concerns because any gadget connected to the internet might potentially be hacked. This implies that if your smart home system isn’t adequately secured, hackers could obtain access to your house and personal information, causing harm.
To make problems worse, security is not a priority when designing many smart home appliances. Manufacturers can put user-friendliness and convenience over security, which could expose openings that hackers could take advantage of. Furthermore, a lot of consumers may not take the necessary precautions to secure their systems because they are unaware of the threats associated with smart homes.
Therefore, are smart homes safer? It depends, is the response. Your smart home system can provide a number of security advantages if it is properly protected. However, if your system is not protected, it may be open to hackers and other online threats.
How to make smart home safe from hackers?
Now that we’ve identified the risks associated with smart homes, let’s talk about how to make your house unhackable. Here are some security tips for your smart home system:
Use Secure Passwords: Using strong passwords is one of the simplest ways to secure your smart home system. Avoid using default passwords because they are frequently easy to guess or locate online. Instead, use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid utilising obvious phrases or personal information.
Turn on two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra degree of security by requiring you to enter a code or prove your identity in another way before you can access your account. Even if someone guesses your password, this can help prevent unauthorised access to your smart home system.
Updating Your Devices and Software: Manufacturers frequently offer updates that address security flaws, so it’s critical to keep your devices and software up to date. Install these updates as soon as possible, and check for updates on a regular basis.
Use a Firewall: A firewall is a network security device that monitors and restricts network traffic based on predefined security rules. You can help safeguard your network from unauthorised access and potential cyber threats by installing a firewall.
Create Separate a Guest Network: Set up a separate guest network if you have visitors who need to connect to your Wi-Fi network.
How much IoT Devices Know about us?
Depending on the type of device and how it is used, IoT devices can potentially learn a lot about you.
If you have a smart speaker in your home, it could be listening to your voice commands and collecting data about your preferences and behaviours. If you have a smart thermostat, it may be tracking your daily routine and temperature preferences. If you have a fitness tracker, it may be recording your physical activity as well as your sleeping habits.
Furthermore, IoT devices can track your location, browsing history, and other online activities. This data can be used to create a profile of your preferences, tastes, and behaviours, which can then be used to target advertising or for other purposes.
It is vital to understand the data collected by your IoT devices and how it is used. Read the privacy policies of the devices you use and take security steps, such as using strong passwords and keeping your devices up to date with the latest security updates, to protect your personal information.
