Do you live in a “smart” home? Not sure? Well, you do if you use a voice-controlled personal assistant like Google Home or Amazon Echo. Or if you have a TV that’s connected to the internet, or a refrigerator that tells you when to restock your groceries. Voice- or remotely-controlled speakers, light switches, and thermostats will also put you into “smart home” territory.
In this day and age, there are countless devices that can be interconnected in your home and controlled by your phone, tablet, or computer. While this kind of technology can enhance our lives with more convenience and accessibility, it’s important to create safeguards to ensure it doesn’t compromise our privacy and security. Here are some tips to consider:
1. Utilize a strong network password. Smart devices have a common bond in that they are all linked to a wireless (Wi-Fi) network, which connects them to the internet. The Wi-Fi network is your first line of defense against unwanted intrusions. A key component of a wireless network is the router, a device that provides internet access. A router comes with a default password, but security experts recommend changing it. Your new password should use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Otherwise, you could leave your network open to cyber thieves who could easily retrieve sensitive information you use in your day-to-day online activities such as bank, credit card, or tax information.
2. Don’t share your Wi-Fi password. Once you’ve configured your Wi-Fi network and changed the default password, be careful about who you share the password with. While you might not hesitate disclosing it to your Aunt Jane when she visits, you certainly should think twice before sharing your network credentials with people you don’t know very well, like your Airbnb guests, your landscaper, or your handyman.
3. Set up a Guest Network for visitors. Ideally, you should have all visitors (even Aunt Jane) use a Guest Network to access your home’s internet, rather than provide them with your Wi-Fi password. If you don’t, even well-intentioned guests could inadvertently compromise your network security.
4. Don’t connect infected devices. It’s also important to ensure you’re only connecting “clean” devices to your wireless network. Allowing an infected device to access your Wi-Fi will put your network at major risk. To ensure your smart devices are protected, make sure they have the latest software and security updates installed.
5. Disable internet connections when not in use. Cybersecurity experts also warn against keeping computers, phones, and virtual assistants constantly connected to the internet. Just like you lock your doors when you leave the house, you should get into the habit of disconnecting devices from your network when you’re not using them. The more active internet connections you have in your home, the more entry points you’re giving to a cyber crook to hack into your network.
6. Be careful of who’s listening. Speaking of virtual assistants, it’s important to be cognizant of how they work. Basically, when they’re on, they’re constantly listening for specific “hotwords” or “wake words” that tell them to start processing and interacting with what you’re saying. But what happens to all of the words you speak throughout the day that aren’t intended for Alexa or Siri? While most companies who manufacture these devices claim they are not eavesdropping on your conversations, there have been major privacy concerns raised about them. In April 2019 for example, Bloomberg reported that Amazon employees were tasked with listening to audio clips recorded from its Echo devices. Given this kind of negative publicity, a good rule of thumb is to review the settings on your virtual assistant devices (the Alexa phone app for example allows you to turn off a setting that uploads your conversations to Amazon), and shut off or disable listening on your devices when you don’t need them.
Smart devices have undoubtedly changed our way of life, but it’s important not to let convenience come at the expense of your privacy and safety. By making home network security a priority, you’ll help to ward off cyber crooks and ensure that your sensitive and financial information remains confidential.
In this day and age, there are countless devices that can be interconnected in your home and controlled by your phone, tablet, or computer. While this kind of technology can enhance our lives with more convenience and accessibility, it’s important to create safeguards to ensure it doesn’t compromise our privacy and security. Here are some tips to consider:
1. Utilize a strong network password. Smart devices have a common bond in that they are all linked to a wireless (Wi-Fi) network, which connects them to the internet. The Wi-Fi network is your first line of defense against unwanted intrusions. A key component of a wireless network is the router, a device that provides internet access. A router comes with a default password, but security experts recommend changing it. Your new password should use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Otherwise, you could leave your network open to cyber thieves who could easily retrieve sensitive information you use in your day-to-day online activities such as bank, credit card, or tax information.
2. Don’t share your Wi-Fi password. Once you’ve configured your Wi-Fi network and changed the default password, be careful about who you share the password with. While you might not hesitate disclosing it to your Aunt Jane when she visits, you certainly should think twice before sharing your network credentials with people you don’t know very well, like your Airbnb guests, your landscaper, or your handyman.
3. Set up a Guest Network for visitors. Ideally, you should have all visitors (even Aunt Jane) use a Guest Network to access your home’s internet, rather than provide them with your Wi-Fi password. If you don’t, even well-intentioned guests could inadvertently compromise your network security.
4. Don’t connect infected devices. It’s also important to ensure you’re only connecting “clean” devices to your wireless network. Allowing an infected device to access your Wi-Fi will put your network at major risk. To ensure your smart devices are protected, make sure they have the latest software and security updates installed.
5. Disable internet connections when not in use. Cybersecurity experts also warn against keeping computers, phones, and virtual assistants constantly connected to the internet. Just like you lock your doors when you leave the house, you should get into the habit of disconnecting devices from your network when you’re not using them. The more active internet connections you have in your home, the more entry points you’re giving to a cyber crook to hack into your network.
6. Be careful of who’s listening. Speaking of virtual assistants, it’s important to be cognizant of how they work. Basically, when they’re on, they’re constantly listening for specific “hotwords” or “wake words” that tell them to start processing and interacting with what you’re saying. But what happens to all of the words you speak throughout the day that aren’t intended for Alexa or Siri? While most companies who manufacture these devices claim they are not eavesdropping on your conversations, there have been major privacy concerns raised about them. In April 2019 for example, Bloomberg reported that Amazon employees were tasked with listening to audio clips recorded from its Echo devices. Given this kind of negative publicity, a good rule of thumb is to review the settings on your virtual assistant devices (the Alexa phone app for example allows you to turn off a setting that uploads your conversations to Amazon), and shut off or disable listening on your devices when you don’t need them.
Smart devices have undoubtedly changed our way of life, but it’s important not to let convenience come at the expense of your privacy and safety. By making home network security a priority, you’ll help to ward off cyber crooks and ensure that your sensitive and financial information remains confidential.