Home Security in the Digital Age
At a time when the majority of Americans are working from home, home security is more important now than ever. That means we’re more dependant on our home technology — and more aware of the cyber security we have in place to protect us. From smart speakers to smart thermostats and more, it’s important to ensure your safety at home during this time.
Smart speakers are designed to make your life easier, but they do that by controlling other appliances in your home, such as lights, sound systems, baby monitors, window treatments and thermostats — all of which can create new vulnerabilities if hacked. To protect yourself, it’s essential to be aware of the accounts you’re connecting to your digital assistant, and to think twice before connecting any business accounts. In addition, while active voice recognition may not be full-proof, it can make it harder for strangers to access your systems. Here are some additional tips to help keep you cybersafe at home.
Take time to set up your wifi properly.
Connect your devices to your home wifi networks, set up with strong passwords and firewall protection, and avoid open wifi hotspots. Your wifi is a “door” to the outside world, and your home is ultimately only as safe as the strength of the locks on this door.
Stay vigilant when checking email.
Malicious messages are common and can creep into your primary inbox. Hackers are particularly aggressive during times of increased vulnerability, such as when shifting work to a less secure environment. Be certain you know the sender, and don’t rush to respond. If a message seems suspicious, then confirm with an associate or research its origin.
Lock or “sleep” your devices when they’re not in use.
A sleeping computer cannot be hacked. And, of course, it can prevent unintended access, such as from a child who’s playing around. And when it’s time to get back to work, it’s always a good idea to have strong and varied passwords in place on your computers as well!