It’s time to audit your smart home devices
How many devices do you have in your smart home? How many are connected to the Internet and how many of them are running updated firmware? Are you even sure? If not, it’s time to audit your smart home devices.
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You probably have more connected devices than you think
When we think of our smart homes, we tend to think of the obvious devices like smart speakers, video doorbells, and smart light bulbs. There are probably a lot more smart devices in your home than you first think, including smart TVs, streaming boxes, robot vacuums, smart hubs, connected home appliances, and even printers.
It’s easy to overlook some smart home devices, especially if they were added a long time ago. The problem is that these devices could potentially endanger your smart home.
Take the time to make a list of all the smart devices you can think of in your home. Once you’re done, try checking the devices connected to your router or using a network scanner to find everything connected to your home network. You might be surprised by what else you can find.
Ditch devices that need to go
Ask four simple questions
Once you have a complete inventory of the connected devices in your home, it’s time to start deciding whether or not you actually need them. The easiest way to do this is to ask four simple questions.
Do I actually still use it?
If the answer is no, you can disconnect the device from your home network, remove its app and cloud access, and prevent it from posing an ongoing risk. There’s no point in keeping devices online that you never use.
When did it last receive a firmware or software update?
If the device is still receiving firmware or software updates, make sure it is running the latest version. If the manufacturer no longer offers patches or security fixes, or it’s unclear whether the device is still supported, it may be time to disconnect it from the Internet, isolate it on your network, or simply delete it.
Does this device always need to be connected to the Internet?
Some smart home devices will connect to the internet by default, but this isn’t necessarily necessary. You need to decide if the connected features are worth the added risk.
What data does this device collect?
Take a look at privacy settings or app permissions to see if there are devices collecting information you might not want to share, such as your location or even voice or video data. If the device can work without these features enabled, you should disable the ones you are not comfortable with. If you can’t disable them, you need to decide if the device is worth the invasion of your privacy.
Identify at-risk devices and weak links
Forgotten devices could pose a security risk
Once you’ve determined which devices you keep and which will stay connected to the Internet, you need to examine each of those devices to see if it could pose a security risk.
If a device is still offering updates and patches, but hasn’t been updated in a while, make sure to update it to the latest firmware and consider enabling automatic updates. This does not protect against all threats, but helps reduce risk.
You should also take a look at the passwords used for devices and accounts. Be sure to use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible. Don’t reuse passwords across devices, because if one device’s password is exposed, it also puts others at risk. Make sure you don’t use default passwords; Many people stick to default administrator passwords for routers, which is not a good idea.
If you have any unused apps or integrations, it’s helpful to delete them in case they’re still exposing data outside of your smart home. It’s also worth looking at your cloud-dependent devices and services and taking note; although they may still work now, they could pose a risk in the future if the manufacturer stops providing updates or shuts down the supporting cloud service.
Make your audit a regular thing
Even doing it once a year can be worth it
Faisal Rasool / How to Geek / Google
Auditing your smart home devices will reduce your exposure in the short term, but over time your devices may become more at risk. If devices lose support and no longer receive updates, they become more vulnerable if unpatched security vulnerabilities are discovered. That’s why it’s a good idea to regularly audit your smart home.
Even if you only do it once a year, it’s much better than leaving devices on your network for years without any idea of their security level or the information they transmit to the outside world. It’s worth setting a reminder or calendar event for your audit so you don’t forget. After the first audit, subsequent audits should be much easier, as you will have already resolved many of the issues encountered during the first run.
An audit is worth it
A smart home can provide convenience, but it can also put your privacy and security at risk. Staying in control of your smart home doesn’t have to be a full-time job; a regular audit from time to time can make your smart home much more secure.
