Introduction
I love my new smart security camera. It’s helped me catch the neighbor’s dog, who has a habit of eating my plants. But lately, I’ve had concerns about the security of my home network. Is it safe to continue using this device? How can I protect myself from hackers and other nefarious actors? Should I consider getting rid of my smart devices altogether? Until now, most people have been able to ignore these questions—but as more and more everyday objects become connected to the internet, there are bound to be some bumps along the way.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know before adding any new smart device to your home network: including tips on how much information is too much when it comes to sharing your data, understanding what makes up our computer networks; and yes – even checking off an IoT Security Checklist! Then we’ll cover how you can proceed safely with these new technologies…and enjoy all their benefits!
Pandora’s box?
But before you connect that gift to the internet, you should know a few things.
Many people don’t realize how much personal information can be accessed through their IoT devices. When we talk about security and privacy, what we’re apprehensive about is protecting our data from being stolen or misused by hackers. But it’s not just hackers who are after your data: the government could want access to your private information for any number of reasons—and other interests may also want access (e.g., advertisers). For example:
- Your intelligent home thermostat might be collecting environmental data that could reveal when specific individuals live in a home or when they’re out on vacation, revealing sensitive information about their routines and regular schedules.
- Or maybe your car’s computer system keeps track of where you drive each day—which could reveal where you work, go shopping or visit friends and family members (or pick up drugs!).
- Perhaps it’s even more personal than those examples—like a blood pressure monitor connecting directly with an app on your smartphone…
How much information is too much?
How much information you share with a new device depends on your needs. If you’re using the device to access personal information and your network is secure, there’s no harm in connecting it. But be aware of the risks and who is collecting the data.
If you don’t want to share any personal information, or if you’re not sure what kind of information the device will collect, there are steps you can take before connecting:
- Check with friends or family members who may have used an IoT product recently
- Look at reviews online (see below for more details)
Understanding the network
The network is a collection of devices that share information. For example, if you were to connect your computer to the internet, you would join a network with thousands or even millions of other computers.
The number of devices connected to the network depends on how many people share the same broadband connection. In other words, you might have a single Ethernet port in your house and only one device plugged into it (like your laptop). If someone else wanted to connect their router or desktop PC, they would need another Ethernet port for their device to work correctly with yours and everyone else’s in this communal “network.”
The IoT security checklist
- Use a firewall
- Install updates
- Use HTTPS when available
- Use 2FA (two-factor authentication) where possible, especially with financial accounts
- Get an antivirus
How to proceed safely
Connecting to the Internet of Things is a great way to make your life easier, but it comes with security risks. It’s essential to understand how to mitigate these risks. Here are some ways you can keep your home safe:
- Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) on all of your accounts where it’s available. 2FA adds another layer of security when logging in by requiring a password and something else like a code sent via text message or generated by an app.
- Use unique passwords for each account and never reuse passwords across different services or accounts unless they’re very similar (e.g., “qwerty”). Also, don’t use simple words or phrases that could be easily guessed, including pet names, birthdays, anniversaries, etc., and don’t write down your passwords anywhere! If you absolutely must write them down somewhere secure but secret—like buried in the backyard—make sure that location isn’t apparent to anyone who might come across it accidentally (like children), as access will be needed every time someone needs their password for them not only get into their account(s) but also change them too without having any idea what they were originally set up as created initially back during setup when first getting started using this particular application tool program suite combination product suite system software suite toolkit suite collection package deal bundle kit toolkit collection package deal bundle kit
- Use your cell phone hotspot to install updates on the device. This approach allows you to update the device to the latest software while lowering the risk to the larger network.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, there are many ways in which IoT devices can be compromised. If you’re looking to connect your new device to the network, it’s essential to understand the risks and take steps to mitigate them. The first thing is knowing what information could be compromised by connecting your device. If you don’t have an idea, look at how others have been hacked before—they’ll give some clues as to how hackers might get at yours!
