**Is Your Smart Home an Easy Target? 6 Ways Experts Lock Theirs Down**

As a smart home user, I can attest that there's nothing quite like the feeling of having your personal space compromised. Recent reports have underscored the very real risk that our homes are vulnerable to hacking, with 120,000 home security cameras hacked in South Korea for sexploitation footage.

The good news is that while all smart homes are at risk of being hacked, it's not a likely event. The type of bad actors that target smart homes and devices tend to be opportunistic, searching randomly for easy targets rather than choosing a specific home to attack.

So, How Can I Protect My Smart Home from Hackers?

The key to preventing an attack on your smart home devices is to not be an easy target. Unfortunately, many of the smart home hacks you hear about in news reports occur because people fail to follow the necessary security steps that would offer defense against those attacks.

Here are six ways experts lock down their smart homes:

1. Use Strong, Unique Passwords for Each Account and/or Device

The first step in securing your smart home is to use strong, unique passwords for each account and/or device. Weak passwords can be easily guessed, and reusing a password that has been involved in a data breach puts you at risk of getting hacked.

2. Turn on Two- or Multi-Factor Authentication

Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) also protects your password, because if someone were to steal it, they'd still need the second layer of approval from you to access your account. Many brands of smart home devices and accounts offer this feature, including Amazon, Google, and Philips Hue.

3. Secure Your Wi-Fi

Protecting your Wi-Fi may sound basic, but it's something that most people overlook. To secure your Wi-Fi, use WPA2 or WPA3 and always change the default password on your router – otherwise, your wireless network remains exposed.

4. Enable Auto Updates

Whenever possible, enable auto updates on each device to ensure they receive the latest software updates. Manufacturers often encounter vulnerabilities and send over-the-air updates to patch these security holes.

5. Deactivate Unused Features

The next step is to deactivate any features you don't use or need on your device, especially if those features leave you vulnerable to attacks. If you don't need remote access and this feature can be disabled on the device, then do so.

6. Research the Brand You're Buying

Finally, always research the brand and its best practices before making a purchase. Don't rely on the idea that a brand is reliable simply because it's well-known – research the brand and its security measures to ensure the protection of user data.

Conclusion

While the risk of hacking may seem daunting, taking these six steps can significantly reduce your smart home's vulnerability to attacks. By using strong passwords, turning on MFA, securing your Wi-Fi, enabling auto updates, deactivating unused features, and researching the brand you're buying, you can create a secure and protected smart home environment.

Remember, the key to preventing an attack is to not be an easy target. With these tips, you can rest assured that your smart home is locked down tight – and your personal space remains safe from prying eyes.