More and more manufacturers are making smart products. From lamps to food bowls and refrigerators: you can turn your house into a smart home in no time. But how do you ensure that everything is properly secured? iPhoned gives you seven tips.
This way you get your smart home safe
More and more electronic devices now also have a smart variant in the shops. It has been possible for some time to control various devices via an app on your iPhone. If you have an Apple TV at home, it acts as the hub for all smart devices running on Apple’s HomeKit platform. Companies such as Philips also have their own alternative with products such as Hue. You can now also operate this Hue app with Siri Shortcuts support.
But just like computers and smartphones, these gadgets also need the necessary security against hackers and security leaks. When you take smart products into your home, there are a number of things you should pay attention to.
1. See what you need
Certainly in the case of smart lamps, you are not yet ready when you purchase a set of smart light bulbs. To make them work together and easily operate them from your iPhone, hub or Apple TV, you also need a bridge, for example. Lamps that you have to plug into the socket are then easier to make ‘smart’ by means of a smart plug. In the case of Philips, for example, you need a Hue Bridge, to which you can then connect all smart Hue lamps.
So first think carefully about what you need to make it work the way you want it to. This way, the final cost is clear and you will not be faced with surprises afterwards.
2. Check for updates
Not all manufacturers are equally consistent with their update policy. Research the manufacturer beforehand. Every company suffers from time to time with security leaks and hacks, but the main question is whether these will also be resolved quickly with security updates.
For that reason it might be better to go for an A-brand. Companies such as Philips, Logitech and Nest have a reputation to uphold. They generally have enough (financial) resources to provide strong product security, and often there is also a warranty and support program.
If you order a cheap device from an unknown Chinese electronics supplier, the chance of such certainty is much smaller. There are no clear rules or labels that guarantee the safety of smart home products. When you receive regular updates, the chance that your equipment will quickly become obsolete is also smaller. Your privacy is precious, so investing a little more is not an unnecessary luxury.
3. Look for previous reviews and potential issues
The market for internet of things applications is only growing, which means that there is also more and more choice. In order to be able to compare, it is always nice to check the experiences of others with products. Search for reviews and see if there are many recurring problems with the electronics you want to buy.
If you have an iPhone, find out whether the devices work well with it. For example, if there is an Apple HomeKit icon on the box, you can be sure that they can be operated from all your Apple devices.
4. Change the factory password of your smart device immediately
Many smart devices are protected with a default password. It is not difficult for bright minds to find out. For example, Action sold a security camera with the standard code ‘123’ last year. This was hacked at a buyer, after which she heard a strange voice and saw a moving camera.
It is best to change the security code first when installing a product. That way you will not forget and you are less susceptible to malicious parties. Be sure to check the security and privacy settings of products for which you have not yet done so. Finally, someone can also enter your house digitally via the automatic cat food bowl. Even better is to have a password manager generate and store a random code.
5. Take a critical look at where you place smart devices
Because smart devices can always be hacked, it is advisable to be critical of where you place them. So left consumer program Radar have seen that it is childishly easy to watch people’s homes via IP cameras.
You will therefore have to protect smart devices with cameras or microphones in them. You probably don’t want someone to be able to eavesdrop on you in the bedroom or watch you in the nursery. So ask yourself whether or not you place such devices.
6. Secure your home network properly
When malicious parties hack one smart device in your house, they quickly find their way to the rest. For example, they easily capture data about what time you come home and leave, passwords and other personal data.
Most devices can only be operated from the home network or bluetooth. Therefore, only give smart equipment guest access to your WiFi network. This prevents a digital intruder from also making off with your iPhone, Mac or other devices that use WiFi.
To make it even more difficult for attackers and to make your devices less discoverable, disable Universal Plug and Play (uPNP) via the settings of your router. When enabled, a hacker can more easily execute commands from outside on your devices.
7. Monitor your devices
A nice solution to monitor your smart home for errors, updates and other useful information is the free one PRTG Network Monitor. This gives you a clear overview of all your devices and whether everything still works as it should. The monitor works with devices from all kinds of manufacturers. That saves a number of apps on your phone to check everything separately.
Monthly Theme Security
Throughout October we will focus on the theme of Security. In the coming weeks we will help you to better secure your Apple devices and online accounts. On the basis of tips and background, we explain step by step how you can handle your data more consciously and protect your data better.
Read everything about the monthly theme of Security
- Apple gives hackers special iPhones to check iOS security (23-12-2020)
- Tip: recognize and prevent WhatsApp fraud in 6 steps (12-10-2020)
- Secure your Twitter account with two-factor authentication: that’s how it works (7/26/2020)
- Tip: Make your Mac’s hard drive (Book) more secure with FileVault (7/19/2020)
- Make your Apple device more secure with two-factor authentication – that’s how it works (6/27/2020)