More and more manufacturers are making smart
products. From lamps to feeders and refrigerators: you can turn your house
into a smart home in no time. But how do you ensure that everything is
properly secured? iPhoned gives you seven tips.
That way you get your
smart home safe
More
and more electronic devices now have a smart variant in stores. It has
been possible for some time to control various devices via an app on your
iPhone. If you have an Apple TV at home, it acts as the hub for all smart
devices running on Apple's HomeKit platform. Companies like Philips also
have their own alternative with products such as Hue. This Hue app can now
also be operated with Siri Shortcuts support .
But
just like computers and smartphones, these gadgets also need the necessary
security against hackers and security leaks. When you take smart products
into your home, there are a number of things you have to pay attention to.
1. Look what you need
Especially
in the case of smart lamps, you are not ready yet when you purchase a set of
smart light bulbs. For example, to have them work together and easily
control them from your iPhone, hub or Apple TV, you also need a bridge. Lamps
that you have to plug into the socket are easier to 'smart' by means of a smart
plug. In the case of Philips, for example, you need a Hue Bridge, where
you can then connect all smart Hue lights.
So
think carefully first of all what you need to make it work the way you want. This
way the final cost is clear and you do not come across surprises afterwards.
2. Check for updates
Not
all manufacturers are equally consistent with their update policies. Do
research into the manufacturer in advance. Every company from time to time
suffers from security holes and hacks, but the main question is whether they
are resolved quickly with security updates.
For
that reason it might be better to go for an A-brand. Companies like
Philips, Logitech and Nest have a reputation to keep. They generally have
enough (financial) resources to provide strong product security, and there is
often a guarantee and support program.
If you order a cheap device from an unknown Chinese
electronics company, the chance of such a certainty is much smaller. There
are no clear rules or labels that guarantee the safety of smart home products. If
you regularly receive updates, the chances of your equipment becoming outdated
are also smaller. Your privacy is precious, so investing more is not a
luxury.
3. Look for previous reviews and possible problems
The
market of internet of things applications is only growing, which means that
there is also more and more choice. To be able to compare, it is always
nice to check how the experiences of others are with products. Search
reviews and see if there are many recurring problems with the electronics you
want to purchase.
If
you have an iPhone, find out if the devices work well with it. For
example, if there is an Apple HomeKit icon on the box, then you can be sure
that they are easy to operate from all your Apple devices.
4. Change the factory password of your smart device
directly
Many
smart devices are protected with a standard password. For clever heads it
is not difficult to find them. Last year Action sold another security
camera with the standard code '123'. This was hacked at a buyer, after
which she heard a strange voice and saw a moving camera.
It
is best to first change the security code when installing a product. So
you do not forget it and you are less susceptible to malicious people. Also
check the security and privacy settings of products where you have not already
done so. Finally, someone can also enter your home digitally via the
automatic cat food tray. Even better is to have a password manager
generate a random code and save it.
5.
Look critically at where you place smart devices
Because
smart devices can always be hacked, it is advisable to be critical of where you
place them. For example, the consumer program Radar has already
shown that it is childishly easy to look at people at home via IP cameras.
Smart
devices with cameras or microphones in it you will need extra security. You
probably do not want anyone to be able to listen to you in the bedroom, or
watch in the baby room. So ask yourself whether or not you place such
devices.
6. Secure your home network properly
When
malicious people hack one smart device into your house, they soon find their
way to the rest. This way they can easily collect data about how late you
come home and leave, passwords and other personal details.
Most devices can only be operated from the home
network or bluetooth. Therefore, give smart devices only guest access on
your Wi-Fi network. This will prevent a digital intruder from getting away
with your iPhone, Mac or other devices that use Wi-Fi.
To
make it even more difficult for attackers to make your devices less easy to
find, disable Universal Plug and Play (uPNP) via the settings of your router. When
that is enabled, a hacker can more easily carry out assignments on your devices
from the outside.
7. Monitor your devices
A
fine solution to monitor your smart home for errors, updates and other useful
information is the free PRTG Network Monitor . This gives you a
clear overview of all your devices and whether everything is still working as
it should. The monitor works with devices from various manufacturers. That
saves a number of apps on your phone to check everything separately.
Monthly theme Security
The
entire month of October we will discuss the theme Security. In the coming
weeks we will help you to better protect your Apple devices and online
accounts. Using tips and background, we explain you step by step how you
can deal with your data more consciously and better protect your data.
