Should You Worry About Smart Home Hacking In Sioux City?
In various ways, smart tools like security cameras and video doorbells have made our lives more secure. We can receive updates when a stranger walks up to our front steps, and we can even have footage sent to us when dubious behavior is happening. Having components we can access via the internet warns us of potential risks instantaneously. But there is one chief downside. The access that keeps us connected is also opening a door online invasions.
Even though you don’t need to lay awake at night worrying about smart home hacking in Sioux City, you ought to be aware of the risk involved and take steps to avoid it.
Methods To Block Smart Home Hacking
It would seem that just about everything is connected to the internet nowadays - home security equipment, TVs, and even your kitchen appliances like ranges and coffee makers. The drawback is that this creates more pathways for hackers to sneak into your network. Even so, you don’t need to forgo wireless home protection packages or other smart appliances. Instead, consider these tips and do your part to keep intruders away from your network.
- Protect with hard-to-crack passwords: This is a necessity for all accounts, especially your home Wi-Fi. Use lower and upper casing and a mix of numbers, letters, and special characters. Avoid birthdays, anniversaries, or other options hackers might easily determine. A password fabricator will give you something absolutely random and a password manager can help you track your many accounts.
- Update default settings: When setting up your new router, it will probably come with a preset password to help you get started. Adjust it immediately. Hackers will know these default settings as well. Setting up your private network and home router properly from day one will go a long way to keeping you secure.
- Create separate networks: Why have your smart fridge, your security sensors, and your home computer on the same network? Many routers will let you initiate a distinct guest network. Be sure to use it and protect personal information present on your laptop, desktop, and phone.
- Install a firewall: Firewalls aren’t just for commercial networks. They can also be used on home network. Firewalls will watch your network’s traffic and thwart questionable activity. You can begin with a router including an integrated firewall.
- Use the top encryption options and security protocols: If you have a new router, you may be able to use WPA3, the current wireless security protocol. If that’s not an option, WPA2 with AES encryption will do the job. You need to install home security devices that protect with 128-bit encryption or higher.
- Ensure software and firmware is current: Keep your software and firmware at the latest levels for all devices, which includes your integrated video cameras. Many times, these updates will patch known issues and improve your network security.
Be Wary of Cheap Smart Home Equipment In Sioux City
Respected brands like ADT and Google have their reputation to maintain and will quickly make an effort to fix a security issue in their devices. Other knock-off brands might not be so conscientious. Purchasing your smart thermostat, video doorbell, surveillance system, and other smart devices from a single source like ADT is a wise choice. And having all of your systems connected at the same time will help ensure flawless integration, security, and performance. It’s important to note that ADT Command, the hub of your security system, utilizes two-way encryption when communicating with your connected equipment.
Customize Your Own Sioux City Home Security System
As you now have a better idea on how to keep your private network secure, it’s time to begin designing your own home defense system in Sioux City. The security experts at Secure24 Alarm Systems are ready to find the right package for your property. Contact us at (712) 796-2024 or complete the form to get started.