With smart homes on the rise, many homeowners are considering whether or not these are actually dangerous, perhaps presenting more of a risk than a reward (improved efficiency, convenience etc.). However, before we discuss the implications of this, we first need to define exactly what a smart home is. A smart home is a home that makes use of multiple home automation or AI devices, for example, smart thermostats, alarm systems, security cameras, virtual AI assistants such as Alexa or Google Home, and other smart devices.
It’s no secret that your smart devices contain valuable, and sometimes personal information, such as credit card info, your address(s), date of birth, and other sensitive details. If you are using any smart device capable of storing such data, then it’s essential to safeguard these devices with strong passwords, two-factor authentication where possible, and the correct permissions.
So, with this in mind, this article will discuss this topic in more detail, also providing you with a few tips to make your home that little bit safer.
In This Article:
Strong passwords are the backbone of any secure smart home
Security concerns with many smart setups begin with strong passwords. Passwords connect your devices to the internet, your phone, and other devices. Ensure to use strong and unique passwords for different devices. Therefore, if a hacker were to gain access, they would only be able to access one device as opposed to all devices.
Also, you should update your passwords regularly too, further improving the security of your home.
Delete voice recordings
Many smart home AI voice-controlled devices, such as Amazon’s Alexa, record voice commands. These commands can be viewed in the Alexa app. However, these may also contain sensitive information, so you should regularly delete these to further protect yourself from cyber intruders or criminals.
Regularly check the security of devices and smart appliances
To ensure a safe smart home environment, you should regularly check the security of smart devices and smart appliances. This involves a routine check to ensure they are functioning correctly, performing updates, and generally making sure they are up to scratch.
Secure authorization from third-party apps
Finally, some smart apps that connect to your devices allow secure authorization, such as two-factor authentication. When possible, you should enable this, providing you with an extra layer of protection for your device and smart setup.
