Should You Be Concerned About Smart Home Hacking In Des Moines?
In a variety of ways, smart tools like surveillance systems and video doorbells have made our lives more secure. We are able to get notifications if a stranger comes up our front porch, and we can even have video segments delivered to us when suspicious activity is found. Having devices we can interact with through the internet warns us of developing risks immediately. But there is one chief disadvantage. The simple access that benefits us is also opening a door online invasions.
Even though you don’t have to lose sleep fretting over smart home hacking in Des Moines, you should be cognizant of the risk involved and take action to steer clear of it.
Ways To Block Smart Home Hacking
Practically anything can be connected to the internet nowadays - your home defense devices, light bulbs, and even your range. This also creates more opportunities for hackers to break into your network. Even so, you don’t need to avoid wireless home defense systems or other smart components. Rather, follow these recommendations and take steps to keep prowlers off your network.
- Create strong passwords: This is a must for every account, especially your wireless configuration. Use lower and upper casing and a mix of numbers, letters, and special characters. Stay away from birthdays, full words, or anything else hackers may easily guess. A password generator will provide something absolutely random and a password management tool may assist you in tracking your various accounts.
- Update default settings: When setting up your new router, it’s likely to come with a standard password to help you get started. Change it. Hackers may know these default passwords too. Establishing your Wi-Fi network and new router correctly from day one will go a long way to keeping you secure.
- Create separate networks: Why include your smart oven, your security sensors, and your home computer on the same network? Most routers permit you to set up a different guest network. Take advantage of it and safeguard private data found on your desktop, laptop, and phone.
- Add protection with a firewall: Firewalls aren’t only for business settings. They can also be integrated with your home network. Firewalls will pay close attention to what’s happening on your network and stop suspect activity. You might begin with a router with an incorporated firewall.
- Utilize the top encryption standards and security protocols: If you have a new router, you will likely be able to incorporate 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 use 128-bit encryption or higher.
- Be certain firmware and software is current: Keep your firmware and software at the latest levels for all components, which includes your integrated video cameras. Frequently, these updates will address known issues and improve your network’s security.
Be Wary of Lower Quality Smart Home Devices In Des Moines
Leading companies like ADT and Google have their status to uphold and are more likely to rectify a security bug in their devices. Other lesser-known brands may not be quite as diligent. Getting your surveillance systems, video doorbell, smart thermostat, and other components from a single reputable company like ADT makes sense. And deciding to have all of your systems installed at once will help ensure flawless integration, operation, and security. It’s also worthwhile to point out that ADT Command, the central touchpad interface, uses two-way encryption when engaging with with your integrated devices.
Design Your Own Des Moines Home Security System
Now that you have more knowledge on how to keep your home network shielded from hackers, it’s time to get started on your own smart home security system in Des Moines. The security professionals at Secure24 Alarm Systems are ready to create the right package for your property. Contact us at (515) 212-6493 or complete the form to take your protection to a new level.