Modernity comes in many forms and one of them is the creation of the Internet of Things (IoT) environment. More and more end-users chose to link their devices to operate in a similar field. This device incorporation allows you to save your time and avoid the necessity of filling in the password multiple times.
Thus, your phone is connected to your card, your Google Account is integrated into Google Pay, your Smart TV operates through the smartphone app if your remote control is not functioning properly. Your smart house may equally have its own Internet gateway or perform the necessary operations for you. Sounds beautiful, isn’t it? Not too safe – the experts will tell you. Cyber Security Awareness Month (CSAM) is here, so let us dive into the necessity of linking your devices into the single protected system. Follow the clever principle of internet security in its core – “If you connect it protect it.”
How Do I Even Start?
First and foremost, do not panic. Do not let insecurity cause you paranoia that someone might be watching you through your webcam or a phone screen. These cases are unlikely and we leave them to popular games like Watchdogs. Still, you can become a real security expert if you adapt a multi-platform strategy in your IoT environment.
- Secure Wi-Fi in your house. This might be a no-brainer to some, but insecure or easy passwords in your house are the core of the major problems you might be facing day-to-day. Default settings are a bad idea in any advanced community. Therefore, make sure that you have changed your default settings or ask your local expert to help you with it. While it is done make sure that the invited expert will not know your WPA2 password so cover your keypad while you set it. Remember, you are in charge to provide your password only to those you decide to trust.
- Consider the VPN option. Once you consider setting up a virtual private network (VPN), your work from home will likely become much more secure. Identity thieves and hackers are likely to fetch your private data from your outgoing traffic, so filtering it is a good idea. Do not interlink your devices into the VPN network as this makes your settings vulnerable and they can be hacked more easily.
- Keep your devices locked. The data is heavily stolen and rehashed through unprotected devices which are used without any passwords or security software. Any time of security such as passcodes, fingerprints, patterns, or graphic passes reduces the risk of data disclosure. However, be intelligent about your face recognition software as you might probably face issues in financial operating systems once your face is imprinted in the system. Remember, your devices know how you look so go with a fingerprint instead.
- Protect your smart TVs and smartphones through additional software. They are the most unprotected and likely to disclose your personal data to anyone involved. Such an approach is totally unacceptable as you are unlikely going to live without them. Still, you cannot let others pry on you through them. Observe complex antivirus software that allows browser extensions, smartphone apps, and security gateways for your IoT environment.
- Boost your knowledge. Learn as many options as you can on how IoT is daily attacked by hackers and identity thieves. Make yourself knowledgeable about internet security and remember that your interrelated gadgets are your security weakness. As Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) become more and more advanced, consider them as your key weapon against cyberattacks.
- Do not jailbreak your iOS! The last one might be a borderline illegal action, but keep in mind. If the system has vulnerabilities in it, your antivirus software is unlikely to help you. Buy licensed protection software if you really wish to keep your system protected and up-to-date. Why is the major focus on your phone? Because nowadays you can pretty much rule all your IoT through it. Therefore, they should be given priority in your smart environment.
Windows Security Tips that work
Remember, licensed antiviruses are your friends. Definitely, you might feel unhappy with the necessity of buying their subscriptions or paying for your security overall. However, after you’ve considered all the factors above, do you think it should be cheap to feel safe? Just make a smart choice, and you will not have to regret it.
- Select the best and multifactor protection from the trusted antivirus provider. If you are unaware of what opportunities one antivirus has in the face of another, check the most important factors comparison. Remember, your antivirus should not cost too much since there are options to reduce the price, but at the same time it should have options for all your devices so, if only computer security is offered, this is insufficient.
- Hybrid Cloud Security is on the rise. Despite the certain skepticism towards this type of data storage due to the iOS leak scandal, remember that the cloud infrastructure is constantly growing. They use the advantages of both public and private clouds so the encrypted cloud environment can keep your IoT from intrusion from the outside. By synchronizing your messaging, contacts, and system settings you will unlikely lose any of them once something happens to your phone. Be smart and keep your plan B ready.
- Prioritize what you need daily. Though such advice might sound generic, keep in mind that too many devices are unsafe. Your own analytical abilities are the best way of sorting your devices up and finding the best applicable day-to-day IoT components. If “smart house” or TVs are rare guests in your daily routine, just switch them off and focus on the devices you cannot work without. The fewer devices enter your IoT environment the higher your chances not to be hacked from the outside.
The use of multiple devices is no more a futuristic future, it is our daily lives. Therefore, the more analytical approach to take for them, the easier your IoT is going to function. Keep in mind, that too many devices are equally unsafe to the devices without any passwords in them.
Do not attach too many devices to your domestic environment, but start with your Internet hotspot. If it is unprotected, it is unlikely that antiviruses will keep you protected. Do not buy into the cheap and ready-made jailbreaks or save your money on your security. Remember, you will have to pay twice if more than one device is attached to your IoT. Lastly, keep your eyes on the everyday updates to modern gadgets and the ways of keeping them interlinked and protected.