The modern times are those of luxury and convenience. However, if history has taught us anything, it’s that nothing comes for free. Every connected smart switch, camera or voice assistant has the potential to leak data if it is left unprotected. That really isn’t very reassuring. However, there is a way one can work on online data protection, lock down their setup and keep prying eyes out. Let’s talk about the same in this blog post.
We love our Google Nests, Alexas and all the other smart home devices we’re so used to. They’re like our little robot friends that do things no matter which tone we may speak to them in. Well, that is at least the idea sold to us. From what was once a niche product, a major chunk of the population now uses these devices every day.
A study in 2023 by consumer advocate group Which? revealed some rather uncomfortable truths about these products. And we’re not just talking about dollar-store shady products, but those from Google, Amazon and other American (and other countries’) giants that seem to be stepping past the fine line of convenience and helpfulness and entering the spying and invasive land.
The study revealed that many devices quietly pass personal information to outside parties, often without users realising it. Smart speakers can unintentionally capture and send snippets of private conversations, creating serious privacy concerns.
The fine print on data practices is buried in dense legal text that few people ever read, so most owners have no clear idea how their information is handled. Security flaws in some products let hackers slip in, snoop on your system or even tamper with it. All this shows just how badly we need clearer policies and stronger protections for our smart homes.
Let’s start with the basics, whilst breaking down the complexity of smart devices. What’s common between all of them? The fact that they’re labelled as smart, and that in most cases means they’re connected to the internet. Your home network is the common ground, and it also happens to be the field from which every bad character invades. If it’s open or weak, every device connected to it is at risk.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to prevent breaches:
1. Change the default SSID and password on your router. Use a long passphrase mixing letters, numbers and symbols.
2. Enable WPA3, or at least WPA2, encryption.
3. Consider creating a separate guest network or VLAN solely for smart devices. That way, even if one gadget is compromised, your main network stays safe.
Manufacturers know about the issues in their products. A knight, after all, ought to be aware of the chink in the armour. So, they don’t ignore them. They send out security patches, upgrades, etc. to your device which we seem to ignore without a second thought.
Keep your products, especially routers, up to date. If updates aren’t automatically provided to you, check each product’s app or web portal regularly for firmware notifications. If a model is discontinued and no longer supported, retire or replace it.
This may seem like one of those old annoying pieces of advice that people won’t stop giving, but it’s true. Reusing passwords is the worst thing you can do and is the sworn enemy of online data protection efforts. One breach and everything is exposed—and many of us, don’t lie, are guilty of this. To make things easier, consider using a password manager or getting assistance from cybersecurity help.
Passwords are good, but by themselves, they can be beat. That’s where Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) comes in, adding a second layer of protection. 2FA can block up to 99.9% of automated hacking attempts—its value cannot be understated.
The responsibility for protecting the data and not misusing that which is collected does fall upon the shoulders of companies that sell these products. However, we must, as consumers, also be proactive.
Those privacy settings, terms and conditions, permissions, etc. we skip over? It is better not to do that. To blatantly spy on customers is extremely difficult and risky, so legal loopholes are deployed to do so.
Before giving any app or machine any permissions, see what it’s asking for. Your washing machine does not need to know your date of birth. A smart Bluetooth speaker shouldn’t ask for your location.
Make it a habit to regularly audit permissions on your phone or smart-home hub. This pruning limits what data is sent to the cloud and reduces your attack surface.
The big advantage you have is that you’re real… unlike software, which exists in a virtual space only. Hardware is real too. No software can truly save you from everything.
So, if you want to be extra extra careful, place a cover over webcams when not in use (all decent modern laptops have those), and mute the built-in microphones on speakers or displays if you aren’t using voice commands. This way, you take back control.
Smart homes should make life better, not risk your privacy. Follow the tips mentioned here to protect your data online. If you aren’t particularly tech-oriented, the wiser decision is simply to get some professional cybersecurity help. Managed security services can audit your entire network setup and recommend hardening steps. This way, you’ll stay one step ahead of spies, hackers and data leaks. Enjoy the comfort of your connected home, worry-free.
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