While the rise in generative artificial intelligence (AI) over the past year is exponential, there’s a good chance you’ve been living with AI for years.
Not every smart device in your home has AI and that will remain true for the near future. But any device that connects to the internet at least has some access to AI or related technologies. And many homes are overflowing with internet-connected devices, so it is vital you know how to keep these secure.
Below, are five tips on how to protect your smart home.
- Use strong unique passwords
The “Mirai botnet” attack in 2016 highlighted the weakness of smart home security. It used a botnet to forcibly input a range of passwords like “admin” or “password” to gain access to people’s devices. It was highly effective, and millions of devices were affected. This shows the importance of having an individual and strong password for all our devices.
- Using two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication prevents cyber criminals from being able to access your account after brute-force attacks, by adding a second account to verify your identity. According to Google, two-step verification through Short Message Service (SMS) text messages can stop 100% of all automated attacks, 96% of bulk phishing attacks and three-quarters of targeted attacks.
- Be smart about what devices you invite in
According to Deloitte, there are now 22 Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the average American home and this is expected to increase to 34 by the time we reach 2025. The more devices we have the more at risk our network is. It’s important to be watchful of how many devices you connect, and which devices are connected. There are many examples of devices like smart fridges and smart home assistants being breached and families’ data being stolen, so protecting these devices is imperative.
- Make sure to retire your devices
While it may be tempting to keep all the devices you have, if they are becoming outdated then it is important to retire them. The older the device gets the fewer updates it will have and the more vulnerable it becomes to cyber threats. It is understandably difficult to stop using something that may have sentimental value or cost a lot of money at the time you bought it, but it is the safest thing to do. Cybersecurity expert Tom Gaffney explains: “All software needs updates, especially software in its earliest versions. Unfortunately, many of the companies that got into making smart home devices didn’t prioritize security.”
- Consider protection
Consider protecting every device in your home through your router or internet gateway by using a solution like TDS’ Internet Security Suite. Call 1-855-696-8368 for more information about our protection plans for you and your family.
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