My Smart Home Is Much Safer After These 5 Vital Password Changes

As a homeowner who's recently expanded their smart device collection, I've learned the importance of strong passwords in securing my home. It can be easy to make password mistakes when first setting up new devices, but it's also very effective to go back and make some upgrades. In this article, I'll share five vital password changes that have made a significant difference in the security of my smart home.

Upgrade Lazy Passwords for New Devices

Many people received new smart home gadgets for the holidays or various new year's resolutions (like fitness tech). When trying to set up your new device, it's easy to just choose a quick, simple-to-remember password for your account and move on. You may even promise yourself that you'll change it later. However, this rarely happens.

Now is the perfect time to review the smart home devices that you've got in the past year and make sure that each app and account you sign up for has a strong password. This is a key line of defense for every device in your home and you don't want new devices to be vulnerable, especially if you recently got a security cam or something similar.

Replace Old Passwords with More Complex Versions

Complex passwords are a must in today's digital landscape. While home hacking is very rare, it's more common (unfortunately) for devices to be invaded by roommates, family or exes who already know your old passwords or can guess them.

Fix this problem by checking all your older passwords, especially those you haven't thought much about in years. Replace old and simplistic passwords with complex versions that are well protected (no sticky notes on the computer, in other words).

Prioritize Your Wi-Fi Network Password

Your Wi-Fi network is the gateway to most of your smart home and home security technology and one of the easiest ways for someone to digitally sneak inside. Prioritize giving your Wi-Fi network a particularly robust password that's difficult to guess or copy.

If you frequently have people over, create a guest Wi-Fi network with a password that you can share with them. And if you haven't checked your Wi-Fi settings in a while, dive in and make sure you're at least using WPA2 encryption for all devices and WPA3 for any that support it.

Break the Habit of Repeating Passwords

Repeat passwords are a dangerous practice for any home security. It's especially easy to repeat the same password for smart home and home security devices to help keep everything organized and straightforward.

However, this common security mistake leaves your devices and accounts more vulnerable than ever. Guessing or forcing one password can give cyber trespassers access to many more devices.

Get Help with Password Management

A password manager is a great tool for juggling multiple device logins. It can generate and save passwords for you automatically when you set up new devices, replace old passwords with just a few seconds of work, and give you suggestions on which of your passwords are repeats or too simple.

Many password managers are free, and those with subscriptions typically cost only a couple of dollars each month, making them a worthy addition to any home. Some popular options include 1Password software, which I've found particularly helpful in keeping my passwords secure and organized.

Check for Firmware Updates

Finally, it's essential to check all your home smart home apps and devices for firmware updates. If there are any available, apply them immediately.

Many updates will load automatically, but sometimes they can get blocked or require individual permissions. Firmware updates like these are vital to keeping security tight and helping your passwords stay effective.

With your passwords taken care of, check out the top home security mistakes to stop making, the best security tips for living solo, and important security suggestions before a vacation.

In Conclusion

Securing my smart home has been a game-changer for my peace of mind. By implementing these five vital password changes, I've significantly improved the security of my devices and accounts.

I hope you'll take the same step and review your own passwords today. Remember, strong passwords are just one part of maintaining a secure smart home – stay vigilant and always be on the lookout for potential vulnerabilities!