ADT® Authorized Dealer Serving Harrisburg & Surrounding Areas
December 05, 2022

Should You Be Concerned About Smart Home Hacking In Harrisburg?

In various ways, smart devices like security cameras and video doorbells have made our lives more secure. We have the ability to receive updates if a visitor walks up to our front steps, and we can have footage sent to us when dubious activity is found. Having components we can access over the internet alerts us to prospective risks instantaneously. But there is one main downside. The access we enjoy is also opening a door hackers.

Even though you shouldn’t lose sleep worrying about smart home hacking in Harrisburg, you ought to be aware of the risk involved and take steps to avoid it.

Methods To Protect Yourself From Smart Home Hacking

It would seem that just about everything is joined to the internet these days - home security components, TVs, and even your home appliances like microwaves and refrigerators. The drawback is that this generates more opportunities for hackers to break into your network. With that being said, you don’t have to avoid wireless home security systems or other smart components. Alternatively, follow these tips and do your part to keep intruders out of your network.


  • Use hard-to-guess passwords: This is a necessity for every account, especially your wireless configuration. Use lower and upper casing and an assortment of letters, special characters, and numbers. Stay away from birth dates, anniversaries, or other things hackers might easily guess. A password fabricator will supply you with something completely random and a password management tool will assist you in tracking your various passwords and accounts.


  • Change default settings: When you first unbox a new router, it’s likely to come with a preset password to get you started. Adjust it immediately. Hackers are likely to have these default settings too. Configuring your private network and router properly at the start will go a long way to maintaining your security.


  • Set up more than one network: Why include your smart oven, your security devices, and your work laptop on one network? Many routers permit you to create a different guest network. Be sure to use it and safeguard private information present on your phone, desktop, and laptop.


  • Consider installing a firewall: Firewalls aren’t just for commercial networks. They may also be integrated with your personal network. Firewalls can keep an eye on the traffic on your network and thwart suspicious activity. You might begin with a router that offers an incorporated firewall.


  • Choose the latest encryption options and security protocols: If you’re using a recently manufactured router, you may have the ability to utilize WPA3, the most up-to-date wireless security protocol. If that’s not available, WPA2 with AES encryption is still a good choice. You should find home security devices that protect with 128-bit encryption or higher.


  • Ensure software and firmware is updated: Keep your operating systems at the latest levels for all devices, which includes your connected camera surveillance. Frequently, these updates will patch known issues and tighten up your network’s security.
 

Be Wary of Cheap Smart Home Devices In Harrisburg

One of the advantages of turning to a trusted name like ADT is having the peace of mind that security implements are constantly being inspected to check for vulnerabilities. Other off-the-shelf options may not act in the same fashion. Purchasing your smart thermostat, video doorbell, surveillance system, and other smart devices from a lone supplier like ADT is the right move. And deciding to have all of your systems installed at the same time will help ensure seamless integration, security, and performance. It’s also good to know that ADT Command, the hub of your security system, uses two-way encryption when communicating with your integrated equipment.

Design Your Own Harrisburg Wireless Home Security Package

Now that you have a better idea on how to keep your home network secure, you’re ready to start on your own home security in Harrisburg. The security professionals at Secure24 Alarm Systems are here to customize the right package for your property. Call (717) 256-1545 or complete the form to upgrade your home’s protection.