The Internet of Things is starting to become an important part of our life. Not only are you now able to access the internet from wherever you want, but it can also be used to make your home and your family much safer than it ever was. However, the use of the internet in Smart Home Security means that there are other issues that may arise relating to privacy and data protection.
If there is a problem, then there is a solution as well. We will be giving you 5 different tips that will help you better understand how your home security system works and what are the steps that you can take to make it more secure.
1. Use a VPN
This is the first thing that you need to do when you set up a Smart Home Security system. Remember that if you are using the internet, it is very easy for someone to tap into your data. People are able to access your browsing history, including your ISP which could sell it to the highest bidder.
On top of that, it is also possible for those who have tapped into your wireless network to continuously monitor your online activity. This could be anyone from the next door neighbour to a person with serious malicious intent. However, using a VPN will be able to prevent this from happening.
A VPN will not only use a secure remote server to process all your traffic through it and make sure that your browsing history is not visible to anyone, but it will also encrypt all your traffic using bank-grade AES-256 encryption to make sure that your intercepted data cannot be read.
The VPN with the best security right now is NordVPN. Using NordVPN will allow you to have all the protection you need including encryption, kill-switch, and access to thousands of servers.
2. Use Anti-Spyware Software
After you are done installing a VPN on your router, it is best to go ahead and install an anti-malware/spyware as well. It is still possible for you to download a program from the internet which is then used to spy on you. Using good anti-spyware software will allow you to rest with ease knowing that your data is secure.
Take a look at some of the products by Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes is a leading security suite which can ensure that your system is safe and secure. This way, you will be able to protect all of your security devices as well as your computers.
3. Use 2 Routers
This is another important tip that many people often forget about. Remember that it is not only you that can download spyware onto your security system, it is also possible for someone visiting to do so. It is quite plausible that your friends or family members do not have the adequate security set up on their computers/phones and they end up downloading some sort of malware through your Wi-Fi.
The best way to combat this is to set up 2 different routers in your house. One of these routers should only be used for your security system and the devices that you use to monitor and control it. The other router is the one that you, your family, and anyone else who visits your home should use to connect to the internet (set up a VPN on this router too, you cannot go wrong).
4. Regularly Update Software
When we talk about software, we do not just mean the OS on your computer which you use to monitor your Smart Home Security system and the anti-malware software you are using. You need to perform firmware updates for all of the devices that are on your network such as your alarms and security cameras.
Companies who manufacture such devices are constantly on the lookout for loopholes which people with malicious intent are able to capitalize on. When they are discovered, the company quickly tries to patch them up and release an update which guarantees protection from the aforementioned type of attack. Being up to date will make sure that you have all the protection from the manufacturer that is currently possible.
5. Change Wi-Fi name and password
When you get a new router, there is a default SSID and a default password. This password could be similar for multiple copies of that router and those who are aware of the password that your router has may be able to access it. It should be quite obvious what kind of threats you may face when this happens.
The best thing to do is to change your router’s name as well as its password as soon as you get it. Try to make sure that your password is not something that can be easily guessed (e.g 12345678). Lastly, it is a good practice to change your router’s password after a certain amount of time has passed as a prudent security measure.