WXIN/WTTV — The more connections we have to the internet, the more potential weak spots we have for hackers who want to get access to everything we have on our home computers.
That’s why the experts at Scamicide say you need to take precautions every time you bring home a new smart device.
You may have heard recent talk about the “Internet Of Things.” That’s a term for the broad range of devices that connect to the internet in our homes like thermostats, medical devices, TVs, refrigerators, cars and toys. Not to mention Alexa, Nest and other smart home systems.
Scamicide points out that newer, sophisticated smoke detectors can send data to your phone through your router and that can make them vulnerable to being hacked. According to then Scamicide Scam-of-the-Day blog, most of these smart devices come with preset passwords that can be easily discovered by hackers.
“Change your password as soon as you set up the product,” the blogger states. “Also, set up a guest network on your router exclusively for your Internet of Things devices. This is important so that you can keep the sensitive personal information you have on your computer or cell phone from being accessible through a hacking of any of your Internet of Things devices.”
Scamicide recommends several other steps to secure your home network from outside intruders.
“Configure network firewalls to block traffic from unauthorized IP addresses and disable port forwarding,” Scamicide states. “Make sure that you install the latest security patches as soon as they become available. Use encryption software for the transmission of data and find out where data is stored and what steps are taken to secure the information.”
It’s also a good idea to make sure your router is programmed to download and install the latest security updates as soon as they become available.
“If your router is an older router that does not have this capability, you can check the manufacturer’s website regularly for the latest updates, but frankly, you are probably better served by getting a newer, more secure router,” Scamicide said.
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