Security and Smart Home Devices: How Safe Is Your Home? www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 The Internet of Things (IoT) is here and many people are quickly outfitting their homes with a wide range of smart devices. While these devices aim to make our lives more enjoyable and fun, www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 as well as help manage household expenses, like controlling energy costs, they can also be the point of an intrusion from a would-be hacker, or worse, potential burglar. www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 Many smart home device manufacturers were quick to get their products to market, but overlooked potential security risks once connected to a home network. Security has not been a top priority, but rather what features can be crammed into the device to make it appealing for consumers. www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 What many people do not realize is if one device is hacked within the home, it could easily serve as a hub, or gateway for the hacker to gain access to all of the home’s connected smart devices, www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 including smartphones, tablets, and computers. In addition, the security of some smart home devices might seem irrelevant, but let’s take a look at a few of these and discuss how they could pose risks for you and your family. www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 Thermostats   With hydro bills surging, many people are installing smart thermostats in their home to help monitor and manage energy usage. www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 It is easy to connect to a thermostat using an app from your smartphone. Unfortunately, it is easy to connect to smart thermostats within homes and hack into them using the app. www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 Hacking into a home’s thermostat to adjust the temperature settings might seem more like a childish prank. But wait, did you know high end thermostats collect and gather a wide array of data on all occupants of the home? www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 These thermostats record when people are home, when they home is empty, and when they are sleeping and awake. Imagine if a burglar hacked into the thermostat and knew when the best time was to break into the home. www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 Furthermore, an experienced hacker could also co-op other connected devices, like your home’s security system and shut it off! www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 Home Security Systems   From Wi-Fi security cameras to wireless automated door locks, these smart devices have serious security flaws. www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 Hackers are easily connecting to these devices and have been able to obtain camera footage and pin codes to unlock doors! They can even hack into connected automated garage door openers www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 Lighting   Again, hacking into your home’s smart lighting might seem childish and not a serious security threat www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 Other than being concerned about excessive energy bills, the lack of security within the devices can provide easy access to your home’s entire network of smart devices. www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 The best way to protect yourself is to find out what type of security features are offered in IoT devices, including if the device can be password protected. Also, remember to change the default password on the device, and use different passwords for each connected device on your home network. www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312

www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312 For businesses installing similar IoT devices, do not hesitate to contact Technical Action Group at (416) 489-6312 for outsourced IT support in Toronto and the GTA to ensure your devices have been configured correctly and securely.   Source:- https://www.technicalactiongroup.ca/security-and-smart-home-devices-how-safe-is-your-home/ www.technicalactiongroup.ca/ (416) 489-6312