Have you ever considered how your home might look if you made it a “smart” home? Even if you had considered it, you probably realized that there were privacy concerns. Smart homes raise a lot of questions, and privacy is one of the biggest concerns.
Hackers are becoming more common as more and more people install smart devices such as cameras, speakers, and other home electronics. They may even be able to access your personal information and control the electronic equipment in your home. There are solutions to this problem. These solutions include:
Security Research on Your Devices
Researching the security of smart devices can help you protect your privacy. Search for companies with a solid reputation in cybersecurity. Make sure any appliance that you purchase has strong security features enabled by default, such as passwords. Find out if you can expect the company from which you buy to continue to improve its security features in the future. Recent technological advancements allow companies to anticipate future changes in cybersecurity. In this way, companies are able to increase the privacy of intelligent devices.
Find out before you buy if the company has ever been involved in hacking or if it sells secure devices. Make sure that the appliances you purchase from a particular company are equipped with the latest security features. Many innovative home companies may not take this seriously, making your devices vulnerable to hackers. Do not purchase from a company that does not update its devices.
Use A VPN
It’s no surprise that using a VPN to protect your privacy is more popular than ever. Virtual private networks encrypt all traffic, making it harder for hackers and other third parties to access your devices or intercept your data. To keep your data safe, use a VPN when using public Wi-Fi. VPNs protect you while traveling. You can use a Croatian VPN to protect your privacy when you visit the country.
Limit your access to smart devices.
Limiting the number of “smart” devices in your home is another way to reduce the risk that hackers will gain access to your information. When you are designing your living room, it can be tempting to purchase devices that advertise themselves as “smart.” It’s not worth it to take on extra security risks when they’re not needed. Would it be sensible to purchase a smart speaker costing hundreds of dollars, for example? It’s better to avoid buying it if it isn’t. The same result can be achieved with an alarm clock or a phone.
You can limit access to your network by turning off Wi-Fi public on all devices connected and allowing only Ethernet cables to connect them to the router at home.
Update your software
To keep your device safe, it is important to always stay up to date with the latest updates. Many companies release patches to fix vulnerabilities found in their products. You are leaving yourself vulnerable to hackers who already know about the vulnerabilities.
Check the company’s website regularly for any new patches. It can be time-consuming and difficult to update devices, but the security benefits are worth it.
Require Strong Passwords
Make sure all your devices have strong passwords. They should contain at least 12 characters, with a mix of lower and upper case letters, numbers, and symbols. It is best to avoid using words that are commonly used and names, as hackers can easily guess them with “brute force attacks.” Make sure your passwords for each account or device you create are unique. If a hacker were to guess your password correctly, they could hack into all your devices.
Beware Of Fake Apps
Fake apps that steal your personal information are another thing to be on the lookout for. These apps look like the real thing but contain malicious code that can extract data from your computer or phone. Be sure only to download apps that are available from the official app store and be cautious about the permissions they receive.
It’s not recommended to use an app that asks for a lot of permissions. Fake applications plague Android, so you should be extra vigilant.
Final Thoughts
Here are a few ways to protect your privacy while using smart devices. Follow these tips to keep yourself safe. Update your devices with the latest security patches and updates. Most importantly, please do not share personal information until you are sure it is secure.