{"id":124865,"date":"2021-07-22T06:56:26","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T13:56:26","guid":{"rendered":"\/blogs\/?p=124865"},"modified":"2025-06-11T06:06:44","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T13:06:44","slug":"how-to-secure-your-smart-home-a-step-by-step-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/tips-tricks\/how-to-secure-your-smart-home-a-step-by-step-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Secure Your Smart Home: A Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

How many rooms in your home contain\u00a0a\u00a0smart\u00a0device?\u00a0From\u00a0<\/span>Peloton bikes<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to\u202fshowerheads with Bluetooth speakers,\u202fsmart\u202fhome technology is rapidly making its way into every\u00a0room in every\u00a0household.\u00a0In\u00a0fact, the\u00a0number of smart households (those that contain smart home technology)\u202fin the U.S. is expected to grow to<\/span>\u202f77.05 million by 2025<\/span><\/a>.\u202fBut with new technology comes new\u00a0challenges.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many\u00a0product\u00a0designers rush to get their smart devices to market, treating security as an afterthought and consequentially creating an easy access point for criminals to exploit. Once a hacker taps in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to a\u00a0user\u2019s\u202fhome\u202fnetwork, they could potentially\u00a0gain access to all the devices\u00a0connected to the network. And many consumers, amazed by the appliances\u2019 efficiency, are unaware of the\u00a0risks\u00a0of\u00a0interconnectivity.\u00a0So, how can\u00a0families prevent\u00a0criminals from taking peeks into their\u202fhome?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a tour through an average smart home and\u00a0uncover the security implications\u00a0of\u00a0the various devices in each room.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Knock, Knock, Anyone Home? <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Believe it or not,\u00a0the\u00a0security\u00a0risks of a smart home often apply before you even step foot inside\u00a0the house. Approximately\u00a0<\/span>21 million U.S. homes<\/span><\/a>\u00a0have professionally monitored security\u00a0systems. However, these systems are not immune to hacks.\u00a0One popular security camera system\u00a0experienced\u00a0a\u00a0<\/span>series of intrusions<\/span><\/a>\u00a0where hackers were able to communicate with residents, making inappropriate comments, taunting children, and even demanding a ransom payment for the hacker\u00a0to\u00a0leave\u00a0the system.\u00a0Some users of another\u00a0<\/span>security camera system experienced similar intrusions<\/span><\/a>, with hackers playing vulgar music and cranking\u00a0the homeowners\u2019\u00a0heat up to 90 degrees.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Security cameras are just the beginning.\u00a0Users control mowers,\u00a0smart sprinklers,\u00a0and other outdoor devices remotely with\u00a0smartphone apps.\u00a0Although they are meant to\u00a0make\u00a0consumers\u2019 lives more convenient, outdoor devices with embedded computers could\u00a0be\u00a0at the greatest risk of attack,\u00a0according to\u00a0professor of computer science and cybersecurity expert,\u00a0<\/span>Dr. Zahid Anwar<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Outdoor\u00a0devices\u00a0like\u00a0garage door openers, wireless doorbells,\u00a0and smart sprinklers\u00a0are more vulnerable because they\u00a0may be easily accessible to someone driving down the street with a computer or other Wi-Fi transmitter.\u00a0Outdoor smart\u00a0devices can be used as entry points, allowing hackers to access the entire smart home network. To\u00a0prevent a stranger from spying on your network,\u00a0it\u2019s important to check how these products store your data. If the device\u2019s system stores your personal information and is connected to the main home network, there is a possibility that a breach of one device on the network could reveal your data to\u00a0a\u00a0hacker.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlexa, Who\u2019s Spying on My Living Room?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Once you step foot into a\u00a0smart\u00a0home, you\u2019ll likely\u00a0find a variety of devices adopted by residents for added convenience, including\u00a0smart TVs, Wi-Fi routers, smart speakers, thermostats, lightbulbs,\u00a0and\u00a0personal home assistants\u00a0\u2014\u00a0the list goes on!\u00a0But\u00a0the fact that these devices\u00a0are connected to the internet\u00a0opens the door for cybercriminals to make themselves at home. For example,\u00a0the\u202f<\/span>FBI issued warnings<\/span><\/a>\u202fabout the risks of smart TVs, noting that hackers could potentially gain access to an unsecured television and take control by changing channels, adjusting volume levels, and even\u00a0showing\u00a0inappropriate\u00a0content to children.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally,\u00a0a recent study outlined\u00a0<\/span>multiple privacy concerns<\/span><\/a>\u00a0with\u00a0a popular virtual assistant, ranging from misleading privacy policies to allowing third parties to change the code of their programs after receiving approval from the device\u2019s parent company. Anupam Das, assistant professor of computer science at North Carolina State University, stated that\u00a0third party software developers created\u00a0many\u00a0of the applications consumers\u00a0interact\u00a0with\u00a0while using the virtual assistant. However,\u00a0Das and their fellow researchers\u00a0identified several flaws in the current vetting process that could allow those third parties to gain access to users\u2019 personal information.\u00a0The virtual assistant\u2019s parent company does not verify the developer responsible for publishing the\u00a0third-party\u00a0program, so a cybercriminal could easily register under the name of a trusted developer and\u00a0create a program that spreads malicious code. For these reasons, it\u00a0is critical that consumers stay informed on potentially vulnerable entry points left open by device manufacturers\u00a0so they can take action to better protect their\u00a0smart home technology and their personal privacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Grocery List: Eggs, Milk, Security Risks?\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Today, it\u00a0is not so weird to talk to your refrigerator (well, maybe a little). Smart appliances are quickly making their way into consumers\u2019 kitchens. You can control your blender or Instant Pot from your phone\u00a0and use voice activation with various appliances, further blurring the lines between\u00a0the physical and the digital. And while\u00a0<\/span>smart kitchen appliances<\/span><\/a>\u00a0empower you to do things like controlling your air fryer from an app and use voice activation to brew your coffee in the morning, living like a Jetson\u00a0does come with potential security risks.\u00a0In 2019, McAfee researchers\u00a0discovered a vulnerability within a\u202f<\/span>Mr. Coffee<\/span><\/a>\u00a0brand\u00a0coffee maker that could allow a hacker to access the user\u2019s home network.\u00a0To prevent criminals from brewing up trouble in your home,\u00a0ensure that you take measures to secure each of your devices and keep criminals from spying on your network.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Protect Yourself From \u201cBed Bugs\u201d<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

For many\u00a0people, the bedroom is more than just the place where\u00a0they\u00a0sleep at night \u2014 it\u00a0is a relaxing sanctuary where\u00a0they\u00a0can unwind.\u00a0It\u00a0is no wonder that many people have\u00a0adopted various gadgets to\u00a0turn their sanctuaries into high-tech hubs for relaxation. Take\u00a0a\u00a0smart\u00a0bed, for example. These\u00a0mattresses\u00a0incorporate biometric sensors to help you snooze better,\u00a0and\u00a0they\u00a0connect to\u00a0a smartphone\u00a0app\u00a0that tracks\u00a0your sleep trends and health metrics. While this technology may provide insight on how you can sleep better, it\u00a0is important\u00a0to realize that these devices are\u00a0<\/span>collecting data and sending it back to the manufacturer<\/span><\/a>. Often, consumers do not stop to research what specific data is being collected and how it is being used, placing a lot of trust in the device manufacturer to safeguard their private information. But what happens if the company suffers\u00a0a\u00a0data breach\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span>ransomware attack<\/span><\/a>?\u00a0There\u00a0is a chance that your data might\u00a0fall\u00a0into the hands of a hacker. To better protect your online security,\u00a0understand that enjoying the convenience of connected IoT requires an assessment of where your information is being stored.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Secure Your Smart Home with These Tips\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is no denying that IoT devices have\u00a0upped the convenience\u00a0of tech users\u2019 lives\u00a0everywhere. But with these technological rewards comes added risk \u2014 cybersecurity risk, that is.\u00a0The more\u202fconnected\u202fdevices\u202fyou have in your home, the more opportunities criminals have to infiltrate your network and reach other data-rich\u202fdevices. This can potentially put your private and financial information at risk, not to mention your privacy.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As our reliance on IoT and smart home technology grows, so will\u00a0the need for users to step up their\u00a0cybersecurity\u00a0practices.\u00a0Follow these tips to help protect your personal data and privacy while\u00a0still enjoying all that your smart home gadgets have to offer:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Secure your Wi-Fi\u00a0network<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Out of the box, most\u00a0Wi-Fi\u00a0routers are either not secured or use\u00a0a default password such as\u00a0“admin,” making it easy for hackers to poke around and access devices that are connected to your router.\u00a0To prevent cybercriminals from snooping on your network and the gadgets that are attached to it,\u00a0secure your Wi-Fi network with a\u00a0<\/span>strong password<\/span><\/a>.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Ensure all account\u00a0and device\u00a0passwords are strong and unique<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

A\u202fpassword or passphrase\u202fthat is long, complex, and unique will discourage attempts to break into your accounts. Try creating a string that is at least 12 characters long, contains a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers,\u00a0and that is unique to each account.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Do your research<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Do your research before\u00a0investing\u00a0in a smart device. Ask yourself if the gadget\u00a0is\u00a0from a reputable manufacturer.\u00a0Has the company\u00a0had previous data breaches, or do they have an excellent reputation\u202ffor providing\u202fsecure\u202fproducts?\u202fAlso, take note of the information your IoT device collects, how vendors use this information and what they release to other users or third parties.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Above all, understand what control you have over your privacy and information usage. It is a good sign if an IoT device allows you to opt-out of having your information collected or lets you access and delete the data it does collect.\u202f\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4.\u00a0Enable multi-factor authentication<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

In addition to the password\/username combo, multi-factor authentication requires that users confirm\u00a0a collection of things to verify their identity \u2014 usually something they have, and a factor unique to their physical being \u2014 such as a retina or fingerprint scan.\u00a0This can prevent a cybercriminal from using credential-stuffing tactics (where\u00a0they\u00a0will use email and password combinations to hack into online profiles) to access your network or account if your login\u00a0details\u00a0were\u00a0ever exposed during a data breach.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Regularly update your devices<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Stay on top of software updates from your device manufacturer.\u00a0Available updates are not always advertised, so visit\u00a0the manufacturer\u2019s\u00a0website regularly. Additionally, make sure to update\u202fmobile\u202fapps\u202fthat pair with\u202fyour IoT device. Adjust your settings to turn on automatic software updates, so you always have the latest security patches.\u202f\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Monitor\u00a0and secure\u00a0your network<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Your router is the central hub that connects all the devices in your\u202fhome, so make sure that it\u2019s secure.\u00a0After you\u00a0change the default password and name of your router, ensure that\u00a0your network name does not give away your address, so hackers can\u2019t locate it. Then check that your router is using an encryption method, like WPA2, which will keep your communications secure.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, consider setting up a \u201cguest network\u201d for your IoT devices. This is a second network on your router that allows you to keep your computers and\u202fsmartphones separate from IoT devices. So, if a device is compromised, a hacker still cannot\u00a0get\u00a0all the valuable information that is saved on your computers. Check your router\u2019s manual for instructions on how to set up a guest network.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Install comprehensive security software<\/span><\/b>.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

You do\u00a0not\u00a0need to go it alone \u2014 employ the help of a\u00a0security solution\u00a0like\u00a0<\/span>McAfee Secure Home Platform<\/span><\/a>, which provides smart security for your home network.\u00a0By automatically protecting your connected devices through\u00a0the router,\u00a0you\u00a0can feel confident that\u00a0you\u00a0have\u00a0a solid line of defense against online threats.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

McAfee\u00a0Total\u00a0Protection<\/span><\/a>\u00a0also\u202fincludes a robust password management system that creates and saves strong passwords across all your accounts in one centralized location.\u00a0It also includes home network security to protect\u00a0your firewall and block hackers from accessing your home network.\u00a0McAfee Total Protection includes a\u00a0<\/span>home network map<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that\u00a0allows you to easily identify trusted devices on your network and flag potential intruders.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Secure\u00a0Your Smart Home\u00a0for Peace of Mind\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Recognize that every Wi-Fi connection, every Bluetooth connection,\u00a0and\u00a0every connection you make\u00a0using a\u00a0wireless connection is subject to hacking. This will help you better\u00a0understand\u00a0the risks\u00a0associated with your smart home devices, and therefore\u00a0will help you be more equipped to combat them.\u00a0Remember: a\u00a0<\/span>secure<\/span><\/i>\u00a0home is the smartest home you can have!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How many rooms in your home contain\u00a0a\u00a0smart\u00a0device?\u00a0From\u00a0Peloton bikes\u00a0to\u202fshowerheads with Bluetooth speakers,\u202fsmart\u202fhome technology is rapidly making its way into every\u00a0room in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":674,"featured_media":125564,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10670,13,12],"tags":[10382,4847,10385],"coauthors":[3973],"class_list":["post-124865","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-tricks","category-privacy-identity-protection","category-family-safety","tag-how-to-secure-your-smart-home","tag-smart-home","tag-smart-home-security"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Secure Your Smart Home: A Step-by-Step Guide | McAfee Blog How to Secure Your Smart Home: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How many rooms in your home contain\u00a0a\u00a0smart\u00a0device?\u00a0From\u00a0Peloton bikes\u00a0to\u202fshowerheads with Bluetooth speakers,\u202fsmart\u202fhome technology is rapidly making its This article will take readers\u202fon a tour\u202fof a modern-day smart home, detailing common devices that could potentially\u202fbe exploited by hackers. 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