How many smart devices do you own? Even if you’re unfamiliar with the term, you probably own at least one of them: a smartphone. Of course, there are dozens of other smart devices available on the market, some of which include smartwatches, smart thermostats, smart speakers, smart printers and smart doorbells. While smart devices offer an unparalleled level of convenience, however, they may come at the cost of security.
An Introduction to Smart Devices
Smart devices are electronic devices that provide remote and integrated controls. In other words, you can control them in some way over the internet, and smart devices can be integrated with other electronic devices. Smart thermostats, for instance, allow you to control the temperature inside of your home from an internet-connected computer or device, whereas smart printers allow you to print documents over the internet.
The Risk of Hacking With Smart Devices
While smart devices have become increasingly popular in recent years, they’ve paved the way for increased rates of hacking. A study conducted by Forescout Technologies found that smart devices from roughly 150 manufacturers are vulnerable to hacking. In total, the specific vulnerability referenced in Forescout Technologies’ study affects over 1 million smart devices.
Many smart devices are vulnerable to hacking because of their remote-controlled function. Anytime a device is connected to the internet, it may be hacked. Smart devices are typically always connected to the internet, so there’s an inherent risk of them being hacked. A hacker may breach a smart device, after which he or she may use it for nefarious purposes.
Tips to Protect Your Smart Devices From Hacking
If you’re going to use smart devices in your home or workplace, you should take precautions to protect them from hacking. Choosing a strong Wi-Fi encryption protocol can protect your smart devices from hacking. If your Wi-Fi uses a weak encryption protocol — or if it doesn’t use any encryption protocol — a hacker may be able to access it. And after accessing your Wi-Fi, the hacker may take control of the connected smart devices.
Updating your smart devices’ software will further protect them from hacking. Regardless of the type of smart devices you own, they probably run software. Keeping this software up to date will ensure the highest level of protection against hacking.
You may want to disable optional features on your smart devices. If you don’t need a particular feature, there’s no point in keeping it enabled. Disabling unnecessary and optional features will strengthen the security of your smart devices.
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