Now more than ever, the plethora of IoT devices we have at our disposal allow our lives to be more convenient and efficient. Among the roles IoT devices can play for us are monitoring our homes, increasing security and controlling numerous devices, like lights and the thermostat. With all this good inevitably comes some bad. Plugging our homes into the internet allows access to cybercrime.
It’s common for IoT devices to lack adequate built-in security—if they have any at all. To make matters worse, the interconnected nature of IoT devices means if one device is compromised, your whole suite is affected. Good news: you can secure your IoT devices to protect your household. Here are 5 ways to make sure your IoT suite doesn’t become a hacker’s dream.
#1: Utilize 2-factor authentication.
One way to make it harder for your IoT suite to be hacked is to utilize a 2-factor authentication system. This is the same system we use to protect our bank accounts when using a debit card. In this example, the debit card itself is the first factor and our pin acts as the second factor.
For an IoT device, your initial password would be the first factor and you would act as a gatekeeper—having to provide access before anyone is allowed to connect to your device—for the second factor.
#2: Ensure your devices are updated.
No, this doesn’t mean you need a new IoT device every 6 months to a year. It simply means that you need to update your software regularly rather than pushing it off like you do your laptop every day. Because IoT devices weren’t designed with high security in mind, it’s up to you to update them. Moreover, it’s important to do this regularly because hackers are constantly evolving their techniques, which means the more up-to-date your security is, the better protection you’ll have.
#3: Don’t use your router’s default settings.
Your first line of defense for ensuring your IoT suite is protected is to change the factory default settings on your devices. This should be done because the factory user name could provide hackers with information on the make and model of your device, which makes it easier to hack.
It should go without saying that when you decide on a new username for your devices, they shouldn’t be obvious. Avoid using phrases, names and/or numbers that could give hackers any personal information about you or your family, such as:
- Street address
- Family names
- Pet names
- Number of family members
#4: Avoid using UPnP features.
Many of the devices we connect to our computers come equipped with Universal Plugin and Play (UPnP) features to make it easier to connect multiple devices. This convenience also comes at a price because when your whole suite is connected, all it takes is one entryway for hackers to gain access to your whole system. Disabling this feature can make a hacker’s job that much harder.
#5: Make sure your password is strong.
If there is one tip you’re going to take to ensure your home’s safety from cybercriminals, you should ensure you have a strong password. The most secure passwords are complex, elaborate and as strong as possible. Tips for creating a strong password include:
- Avoid using easily identifiable information like your birthday or pet’s name.
- The longer your password the better.
- Don’t use an electronic database of your passwords.
- If you absolutely need to keep a record, use a verified password manager.
- Don’t use the same password across accounts.
- Utilize numbers, lower- and upper-case letters and symbols.