Have you ever thought about what your home would be like if it were a ‘smart’ home? You might have even considered the idea but quickly realized the privacy risks you could be exposed to. So many concerns come with the concept of smart homes. One of the most pressing ones is privacy.
As more and more people install smart speakers, cameras, and other devices in their homes, they become increasingly exposed to hackers who may be able to access personal information or even control electronics within your house. Fortunately, there are solutions to this problem. Some of these solutions include the following;
Research On The Security Of Your Devices
One way to help keep your privacy safe when using smart devices is to research the security of those devices. Look for companies that have a good reputation in cybersecurity. Make sure that any appliance you buy has solid security features, like passwords, enabled by default. You also need to find out if the company you are buying from has plans to keep improving its privacy measures in the future. The recent advancement in technology enables companies to predict future changes when it comes to cybersecurity. This way, companies can increase privacy on intelligent devices.
Before you make your purchase, be sure to find out if they sell secure devices or have had hacking cases before. Ensure that any appliances you buy from a company have the latest security features. You may realize that many innovative home companies do not take this process seriously. It can leave your devices vulnerable to hackers who can take advantage of its old software. If a company is not updating its devices, do not buy from them.
Use A VPN
Using a VPN to help keep your personal information private is becoming more popular these days, and for a good reason. A virtual private network encrypts all the traffic that passes through it, making it much harder for hackers to intercept your data or gain access to devices on your home network. When you use public Wi-Fi, make sure you are always connected via VPN to help keep your information safe. VPNs can protect you when traveling. For example, you can get a VPN for Croatia when visiting the country to safeguard your privacy.
Limit Your Access To Smart Devices
Another way you can decrease the risk of hackers gaining access to your personal information is by limiting the number of smart devices in your house. It might be tempting to buy devices that claim they’re “smart,” especially when you’re decorating your living room. But it’s not worth the extra security risks if they aren’t necessarily needed. For example, would it be practical to buy a smart speaker that costs hundreds of dollars? If not, then it’s best not to buy it. You could use your phone or an old-fashioned alarm clock and still get the same results.
You can also limit access by disabling public Wi-Fi on all connected devices and only allowing them to connect to the router in your home via an Ethernet cable.
Update Your Software
One of the most important things you can do to keep your devices safe is to ensure that you are always up-to-date with the latest software updates. Many companies release security patches for vulnerabilities discovered in their products. If you don’t update your devices, you leave yourself open to attacks from hackers who know about these vulnerabilities.
Ensure you enable automatic updates for all your devices and regularly check the company website for new patches. Updating devices can take some time and effort, but it is well worth it for the added security.
Set Strong Password Requirements
Another way to keep your devices safe is by making sure that all of them have strong passwords. These should be at least twelve characters and contain a unique mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. You don’t want to use common words or names because hackers can easily guess those types of passwords with programs called “brute-force attacks.” Also, make sure that your passwords are different for each device or account you make. Because if a hacker guessed your only password right, he or she would be able to hack all of your devices.
Be Wary Of Fake Apps
One final thing to be aware of is the many fake apps created to steal personal information. These apps often look very similar to real app, but they contain malicious code to extract data from your phone or computer. Make sure you only download apps from official app stores and be careful about what permissions you grant to them.
If an app asks for too many permissions, it’s probably not safe to use. Fake applications are a significant problem in the Android ecosystem, so be more vigilant when using that operating system.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the ways that you can protect your privacy when using smart devices. You can help keep yourself safe from hackers by following these tips. Stay vigilant and update your devices regularly with the latest patches and security updates. And most importantly, don’t share any personal information unless you know it’s safe.
