Keeping Your Smart Home Safe: Easy Cybersecurity Tips

Posted on: Mar 27, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Keeping Your Smart Home Safe: Easy Cybersecurity Tips

Smart houses can significantly impact cybersecurity, residences outfitted with internet-connected devices that let occupants control and automate various tasks.

The smart home market is anticipated to touch US$154.4 billion worldwide in 2024. The ability to remotely secure personal residences using internet-connected gadgets is one of the main draws of smart home technology. There are advantages and possible hazards for cybersecurity when IoT devices are linked to a home network.

Although smart home security systems make it easier to keep homes safe from burglary, damage, or accidents, they may compromise the security of personal information.

Not only does cybersecurity safeguard the privacy and mental well-being of residents, but it also enhances the effectiveness of the devices in smart homes. It also covers system and device design, implementation, regulation, and maintenance.

Ways in which IoT can impact the Data Security and Privacy of homeowners

The following are some ways that IoT may affect homeowners' data security and privacy:

1. Increased Attack Surface

Because smart homes include a lot of internet-connected devices, there is a greater surface area for hackers to target. Every gadget is a possible point of entry for hackers, who could be able to access private information or take over machines if security measures are not taken.

2. Vulnerabilities in IoT Devices

Weak passwords and unsecured communications are only two examples of the many IoT devices used in smart homes that are known to have security flaws that attackers may exploit. These flaws can be exploited to break into the household network or to attack other networked devices.

3. Privacy Concerns

Due to the fact that many smart home gadgets gather and send data on tenants' routines and behaviour, privacy problems may arise. This information could be misused for harmful activities like social engineering scams or identity theft if it ends up in the wrong hands.

4. Interference with Other Devices

Additionally, IoT devices have the potential to disrupt other local network devices. For instance, a high-volume data-sending IoT device may clog the network, making it difficult or impossible for other devices to access the internet quickly.

5. Lack of Standardisation

It might be challenging for users to assess their security posture or ensure they are adequately secured because many IoT devices used in smart homes are either not designed with security in mind or do not adhere to conventional security standards.

How to Keep Your Smart Home Safe?

Achieving complete smart home cyber security is an extremely challenging task. This is because the security field is dynamic and ever-evolving, with new threats and vulnerabilities being identified regularly.

Nonetheless, employing a multi-layered security technique can greatly enhance the security of smart homes. To guarantee that every linked item is adequately safeguarded from cyber threats, securing a smart home network entails several processes. These are:

1. Protection of the Wi-Fi network

The Wi-Fi network must be sufficiently protected for the smart home to be managed securely. For this reason, it is advised to use a complicated key to change the default password after the initial use after purchase and installation. Setting clear passwords made up of alphanumeric characters and/or phrases from everyday life is essential. These passwords should be distinct and updated on a regular basis for each device's account. This allows the device to be utilised through the other associated accounts if one of the profiles is compromised.

2. Enable multi-factor authentication

Enabling multi-factor authentication—which requires entering a special two-factor system code to validate one's identity—will boost the efficacy of secrecy by preventing hackers from utilising credential-stuffing techniques to access accounts or networks.

3. Proper mapping of all home devices

Proper mapping of all home devices linked to the network is also necessary in order to determine which security measures to put in place and which devices require replacement or upgrades. This mapping should include settings, credentials, firmware versions, and the latest updates. Maintaining a regular conversation between private organisations and institutions is crucial to ensure that relevant legislation is consistently in line with market advances and, consequently, successfully guarantees the security of homes and their occupants.

4. Cyber Insurance

Businesses and smart homes can safeguard themselves against the financial consequences of cyberattacks and other online dangers by investing in cyber insurance. It can include various cybercrimes, including phishing, email spoofing, cyberbullying, data breaches, online fraud, malware, identity theft, cyberstalking, harm to one's reputation on social media, and cyber-extortion. In addition, network security coverage and prompt incident and attack response are two additional benefits of cyber insurance.

5. Disable Unused Features

Turn off any functions on your smart home appliances that you are not using or needing, such as voice control or remote access. This can lessen your network's attack surface.

6. Use Antivirus Software

To find and eliminate any viruses or malware that might be on your network, install antivirus software on your devices.

Ending Note

In conclusion, even if smart homes have a lot of advantages and conveniences, there may be drawbacks and hazards. Cybercriminals may target smart homes more frequently due to the rising number of internet-connected gadgets, and vulnerabilities in IoT devices may be used to obtain unauthorised access to the home network.

Through adherence to recommended measures, such as obtaining cyber insurance for family, you may greatly enhance the safety of your smart home network and lower the likelihood of cyberattacks. To remain ahead of new threats, keep in mind that cybersecurity is a continuous process and that you should examine and upgrade your security procedures frequently.

Disclaimer The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

5+ Common Job Scams & How to Avoid Them!

All You Need to Know About QR Code Scam

What is Email Spoofing & How to Stop Attackers from Posing as You?

How to Protect Yourself as the Threat of Scam Apps Grows?