Cooperative Living March/April 2020 - 24

SafetySense | by Abby Berry, Contributing Writer
Cut Out the
'Hack Attack'
Security tips for your connected devices
T
oday's market offers a plethora of new gadgets and
devices that claim to make our homes smarter, safer
and more efficient. But as with any new smart
technology, consumers should take extra precautions to
ensure these devices are secure.
According to a 2017 study, the average
" internet of things " device at peak activity
was attacked once every two minutes.
Internet-connected cameras have brought significant
convenience to the way we monitor the security of our
homes, children, even our furry family members. With the
simple swipe of a smartphone, homeowners can instantly
keep a watchful eye from afar.
But in recent months, some consumers found themselves
in scary situations when hackers were able to tap into
internet-connected security cameras in their homes. This
enabled the hackers to view and speak to the people,
including children, inside the homes. According to a 2017 study
by security firm Symantec, the average " internet of things "
device at peak activity was attacked once every two minutes.
But it doesn't have to happen to you.
There are lots of commonsense
ways to secure our digital lives.
The U.S. Department
of Commerce offers
the following tips for
protecting smart devices:
Get creative with passwords
Change your device's factory security settings from the
default password. This is one of the most important steps
to take in the protection of internet-connected
devices. Consider creating the longest password or
passphrase permissible, and use familiar phrases you'll
remember, like the lyrics to your favorite song.
Keep tabs on your apps
Most connected devices are supported by a smartphone
application. Your smartphone could be filled with apps
running in the background or
using default permissions
you never realized you
approved, gathering
personal information
without your knowledge
while also putting your
identity and privacy at
risk. Check your app
permissions and say " no "
to privilege requests that
don't make sense.
Secure your network
Properly secure the wireless network you use for
internet-connected devices. Consider placing these devices
on a separate and dedicated network. And have a separate
network available for visitors, relatives and friends so they
don't tie into your devices.
Learn about VPN
Do you manage your devices, like your security cam, via
an unsecured public Wi-Fi in your favorite coffee shop?
Not a good idea. Instead, consider a virtual private network
(VPN for short). Using a VPN ensures no one can snoop on
the information you send over the network.
Connect and protect
Whether it's your computer, smartphone, game console,
camera or other connected devices, the best defense is to
stay on top of things by updating to the latest security
software, web browser and operating system. If you have
the option to enable automatic updates to defend against
the latest risks, turn it on.
Convenient, connected devices are here to stay and,
unfortunately, so are the hackers. But by taking extra steps
to safeguard your network and devices, you can keep your
digital life secure as possible. 
Abby Berry writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national
trade association representing electric co-ops in Virginia,
Maryland and Delaware, and across the country.
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Cooperative Living March/April 2020

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