
Convenience and Security Tips
Smart home technology is rapidly gaining popularity, with the U.S. market projected to reach nearly $50 billion by 2026. While smart devices like light bulbs, assistants, and thermostats offer convenience and potential energy savings, their upfront costs can be significantly higher than their non-connected counterparts. Additionally, smart security systems can offer savings on homeowners insurance premiums, but it's crucial to prioritize security when using these devices.
"Many companies and products have made it very easy for the average consumer to pick them up, go home, plug them in, and have them connected."
Change Default Passwords: Change the default passwords for all your smart devices. Ensure strong passwords for email and commerce accounts linked to these devices. "A lot of times the password to log into the router will be like admin and password 123," says Hiner. "You want to make sure you change that. That's super important otherwise somebody could quite easily hack into your system potentially."
Create strong passwords with 12-16 characters. Consider using a phrase or scrambling significant dates, such as a pet's birthday, by putting the month, date, and year in an unusual order.
Keep your smart devices on the main house account and avoid connecting visitors to it. Many Wi-Fi routers allow creating a guest account with a separate username and password for internet access. When visitors connect to your main Wi-Fi, they carry your network information with them on their devices, potentially compromising your network's security. "If they go to an internet cafe, every one of your friends, family, and neighbors that you connect to your Wi-Fi then is potentially broadcasting your security, your very sensitive sensitive security information, everywhere they go," says Hiner.
Many new household appliances, from faucets to InstantPots and microwaves, are Wi-Fi-enabled. However, Hiner advises against connecting devices you don't plan to control through a connected app. "If you're not gonna actually use it in any way, or it's not going to be helpful in any way, don't connect it — because everything that's connected is potentially something that could be attacked," Hiner says. "If it has a vulnerability or it has a default password that you're not even aware of, then that can become a way for someone to attack your network and potentially compromise everything else."
By following these security tips, you can enjoy the convenience of smart home technology while protecting your privacy and network security.