Having a smart home is really cool. Your home is filled with the latest technology and can do so much more than ever before. You can turn on the lights with your voice or turn them off with your phone. If you forget to lock the door, your home can lock it for you automatically. There are a ton of benefits to owning a smart home, but having smart technology in your home also leaves you vulnerable to privacy and security risks.
Privacy and security are paramount in today's connected world. We understand how important privacy and security are to homeowners. That’s why we've compiled this guide to help you keep your smart home secure. Whether you have smart home tech or are planning to, it's important to understand how to keep your home private and safe. Here are some tips for ensuring that your smart home stays safe and secure.
Secure your wifi network
Think of your wifi router as the front door to your home. You wouldn’t leave your door unlocked, right? Your wifi router needs to be secure as well. If someone gains access to your wifi, they can gain access to all of your connected devices and data. Securing your wifi is imperative.
In order to keep your home safe from cybercriminals, you should change the name of your wireless network. This makes it harder for hackers to find your location. Choose a name that doesn’t give away too much information about you. Some people have fun with this and name their wifi network something interesting or funny like Not Yo Wifi.
Start by changing the name of your wireless network. This makes it harder for hackers to discover your location. Choose a name that doesn’t provide personal information. A lot of people have fun with this and name their wifi network something interesting or funny like Not Yo Wifi. You can find out how to do this by searching on your router manufacturer’s website.
It typically involves going to the configuration page through your internet browser. You’ll find your IP address and password there. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but remember to change your password periodically. Also, don’t use the same password for all of your devices.
Use your guest network
Most people don’t create or use a guest network. They run every device through their main wifi network. A guest network provides wifi access without allowing guests (or hackers) to access your main network. Connect all of your smart devices to your guest network instead of your primary wifi network. This way if for some reason a hacker accesses one of the devices on your guest network, they won’t be able to access your primary wifi network.
Avoid public wifi networks
Owning a smart home means being able to access and control your home from anywhere that has wifi. But, guess what? A hacker can do the same thing with a public wifi network. If you need to connect to your home or check on it via your smartphone, don’t use a public network. It is better to wait, use a secure network, or use a VPN.
Update your software
You know those annoying updates you have to do on your computer, telephone, or other software? While the few minutes it takes to download and update your software might feel like a nuisance, these updates are incredibly important.
Every day hackers break into people’s computers, websites, and smart devices through out-of-date software. Updates fix vulnerabilities and keep your devices and smart home protected from unwanted attacks. This is why it’s so important to make sure your devices are up to date. Most devices come with automatic updates, but some will need to be updated manually.
Use a password manager
One of the best ways to keep your smart home and any other smart device protected is to regularly change the password. If you’re like most people remembering all of your passwords can be difficult, especially if they are random letters and numbers.
Password managers are a great way to store passwords. Not only will they remember your passwords for you, but they'll generate secure, long passwords that are impossible to guess. Never use the same password for more than one website. You should change your password every few months and make sure it’s complicated. When you use a password manager you don’t need to remember every password you create, you only need to remember the password for the manager.
Update your router
When was the last time you purchased a new router? If you’ve been using the same router for several years it is probably not using the latest security protocols. An old router provides hackers with easy access to your network.
If you’re using a router from your internet service provider, talk to them about upgrading to a new one. If you have your own router, but it’s been around for a few years, it’s time to upgrade. Technology changes quickly and you should treat your router like any other device and upgrade it every few years.
Get a professionally installed wifi network
The best way to keep your smart home security is to hire a professional. They will optimize it for speed and reliability. Professionals can also check for vulnerabilities and make sure your system is secure. If you’re not a networking pro, you may not know how to optimize your network or the best practices for your setup.
At SmartVolt we specialize in wifi networking. We can design a custom smart home system too. Contact us today at 505-903-6911 to learn more about all of our professional services. We can make your home smarter and more secure.
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