A Smart Home Needs Security

July 18th, 2024

Modern residents of Houston, TX that want to live in a truly 21^st-century property have a vast number of home choices that can make a residence feel more like a piece of science fiction. Collectively known as the “smart home,” this is the practice of taking “smart” that is, “Internet of Things” devices and installing them throughout a property.

What this means for your Houston, TX home is that you may have Internet-enabled smart locks that open automatically when your phone gets in range. You may have a “smart fridge” that can tell your phone what items are left inside, and even allow you to look inside your fridge through a camera, and leave messages on display built into the fridge like a high-tech notepad. You may even be able to control the temperature of your home or even check on your baby’s sleep through smart thermostat and smart baby monitoring devices that not only listen in but have cameras that can wirelessly transmit images. However, all of this convenience also means that your home is vulnerable to a new angle of attack; hacking.

Maintain Control

The same convenient, wireless functionality that allows you to keep track of various aspects of your home, and even control them, can be subverted by outside forces. One disturbing example of this is a Texas family that discovered someone was making vulgar threats to their infant through a compromised baby monitor.

In the same way that anyone that gains access to a home’s Internet network can control computers attached to that network, the same is true of smart devices. So what can you do to ensure your smart home remains convenient but safe?

Use Strong Passwords

Never use an easy to figure out password, such as “password.” Always make sure your network password is a string of random letters and numbers, not something that someone can figure out through guesswork, or going over your social media account to find out what the names of your pets are.

Limit Authorized Devices

Don’t let just any device access your system. Define which devices even have the privilege of entering a password. This has a huge impact on preventing strangers from simply pulling out their own phone when in proximity to your property, and trying to log into your system.

Use Firewalls & Anti-Virus Software

Hackers are always trying to gain control through different means, such as introducing viruses into a system via email, attached files, or getting people to click on links on counterfeit Internet websites. By protecting yourself with good firewall and anti-virus software, you have systems in place that can recognize and disable these infiltration attempts.

Use A Secondary Network

Finally, try running two networks on your Houston, TX property; one for your computer needs, and one for your devices. This way, even if someone manages to seize control of a device, they don’t have access to the rest of your network because you have “quarantined” devices on their own separate network, thus protecting your privacy and computer data.