It’s Time to Get Smarter About Smart Home Devices

Smart technology has many homeowners excited. The possibility of being able to manage your home from a distance or just from the couch is a dream come true for many people. The only problem is that every great new technology that comes out, also brings some concerns. With smart home technology, it’s important to consider how it can be used to burglarize your home.

Hackers are getting smarter and smarter every single day. Instead of just picking locks, they are now able to intercept technology to open the door or window of a smart home. While it’s still not as common as just breaking a window to get inside of a home, it’s increasing in popularity. This is why if you are thinking of including smart technology in your home, you need to protect yourself.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month was in October. In recognition of that month, the National Association of Realtors along with the Online Trust Alliance has created a “Smart Home Checklist.” This checklist includes some of the best ways to protect your home from thieves.

There are five sections included in the checklist:

1. Prior to Occupancy/Closing
2. All Smart Home Devices and Applications
3. Modems, Getaways & Hubs
4. Security Alarms, Keyless Entry, Gate Systems, Etc.
5. Home Thermostats, HVAC Systems, Smart TVs, Lighting & Other Devices

Takeaways from The Smart Home Checklist

• Since one of the primary concerns is when a smart home is sold, it’s important that buyers retrieve everything that has to do with the smart technology from the seller. When a seller keeps something, there’s a chance of invasion. It’s always wise to confirm the previous owners do not have to access to the smart technology.
• Be sure that once you do take ownership of the home you reset all of the devices and change all passcodes programmed into it. This will ensure the previous owners and anyone else who had the passcode prior to closing cannot use it to access your home.
• Modems, routers and other devices used to run the security system should be updated regularly. Each update includes important security features based off of threats and break-ins. If your modem, routers and other devices are unable to be updated because of being older, you should invest in brand new devices immediately.
• Smart home technology manufacturers often want to collect data from users, so they can improve their systems. You should review the policy for this data collection. If you feel uncomfortable with any third parties collecting information, you can stop it simply by calling them to let them know.
• Disable any devices not connected to your smart technology system. You do not want any devices interrupting the communications in the system, especially when they are not in use.

Live in Your Smart Home with Confidence

You don’t need to forgo smart home technology because there are privacy and security risks. You just need to be aware of them and do your best to mitigate them. Once you do that, you can live in your smart home confident that you are safe.