Is There A Reason To Be Concerned About Smart Home Hacking In Los Angeles?

In a variety of ways, smart tools like surveillance equipment and video doorbells have boosted our home security. We are able to receive updates whenever a visitor comes up our front steps, and we can even have video clips delivered to us when suspicious behavior is detected. Having components we are able to communicate with via the internet alerts us to developing threats instantly. But there is one primary downside. The simple access we enjoy is also opening a door hackers.

While you don’t need to lose sleep worrying about smart home hacking in Los Angeles, you need to be cognizant of the potential safety issue and implement a plan to steer clear of it.

How To Block Smart Home Hacking

It would seem that just about everything is connected to the internet these days - home security components, TVs, and even your everday appliances like ovens and coffee makers. This also produces more avenues for cyber criminals to sneak into your network. That doesn't mean you have to forgo wireless home security systems or other smart components. Rather, consider these recommendations and do what you can to keep invaders out of your network.

• Use hard-to-crack passwords: This is a necessity for every account, and that includes your home’s wireless network. Use uppercase and lowercase and a mix of letters, special characters, and numbers. Avoid birth dates, full words, or other options hackers may easily determine. A password generator will provide something completely random and password management software will aid you in keeping tabs on your different passwords and accounts.
  
  
  
• Avoid default settings: When setting up a new router, it’s likely to come with a preprogrammed password to get you started. Adjust it immediately. Hackers may be aware of these default settings too. Setting up your wireless network and router correctly at the start will go a long way to keeping you secure.
  
  
  
• Consider separate networks: Why put your smart fridge, your home security components, and the laptop you use for work on one network? The majority of routers will let you create a distinct guest network. Make use of it and safeguard important data present on your phone, desktop, and laptop.
  
  
  
• Add protection with a firewall: Firewalls aren’t only for commercial networks. They might also be incorporated into your personal network. Firewalls will watch your network’s traffic and thwart questionable activity. You could opt for a router including an incorporated firewall.
  
  
  
• Choose the top encryption settings and security protocols: If you have a recently manufactured router, you may have the chance to incorporate WPA3, the most up-to-date wireless security protocol. If that’s not an option, WPA2 with AES encryption will do the job. You ought to find home security devices that use 128-bit or higher.
  
  
  
• Be certain firmware and software is updated: Keep your firmware and software on the most recent version for all devices, which includes your networked video cameras. In some cases, these updates will address vulnerabilities and tighten up your security.

Be Wary of Cheap Smart Home Equipment In Los Angeles

Respected brands like ADT and Amazon have reputations to uphold and are more likely to remedy a security issue in their components. Other lesser-known brands may not be quite as diligent. Getting your video cameras, smart thermostat, video doorbell, and other components from a single supplier like ADT is the right move. And deciding to have all of your components hooked up at the same time will help ensure seamless integration, security, and performance. It’s important to note that ADT Command, the hub of your security system, uses two-way encryption when communicating with your integrated devices.

Customize Your Own Los Angeles Home Security System

Now that you have more knowledge on how to keep your wireless network secure, you’re ready to start on your own home defense system in Los Angeles. The security specialists at Secure24 Alarm Systems are here to create the right package for your family. Contact us at (310) 421-1393 or fill out the form to get started.