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

Should You Worry About Smart Home Hacking In El Paso?

In many ways, smart devices like security cameras and video doorbells have boosted our home security. We have the ability to get notifications whenever a stranger comes up our front porch, and we can have video clips delivered to us when questionable behavior is found. Having implements we can interact with over the internet alerts us to potential hazards immediately. But there is one main disadvantage. The access that benefits us is also cracking a door open for virtual intrusions.

While you don’t need to get yourself in a panic fretting over smart home hacking in El Paso, you ought to be aware of the potential danger and take action to steer clear of it.

Ways To Prevent Smart Home Hacking

Almost anything can be joined to the internet these days - your home defense sensors, light bulbs, and even your refrigerator. This also generates more opportunities for virtual villains to break into your network. That doesn't mean you have to eschew wireless home defense systems or other smart devices. Alternatively, consider these suggestions and take steps to keep invaders off your network.


  • Use hard-to-guess passwords: This is a requirement for all accounts, including your home’s wireless network. Use uppercase and lowercase and an assortment of numbers, letters, and special characters. Avoid dates of birth, street names, or other options hackers could easily determine. A password creator will give you something completely random and password management software may aid you in keeping tabs on your many accounts.


  • Change default settings: When you first unbox that new router, chances are it will come with a standard password to help you get started. Adjust it immediately. Hackers are likely to have these default passwords too. Configuring your private network and home router correctly from day one will go a long way to maintaining your security.


  • Create separate networks: Why include your smart oven, your home security components, and the laptop you use for work on a single network? The majority of routers permit you to initiate a separate guest network. Take advantage of it and shield important data present on your phone, desktop, and laptop.


  • Consider installing a firewall: Firewalls aren’t only for businesses. They might also be used on personal network. Firewalls can pay close attention to what’s happening on your network and stop suspicious activity. You might opt for a router that offers a built-in firewall.


  • Utilize the top encryption options and security protocols: If you’re using a newer router, you may have the ability to use WPA3, the latest wireless security protocol. If not, WPA2 with AES encryption will do the job. You should find home security components that use 128-bit encryption or higher.


  • Make sure software and firmware is current: Keep your software and firmware up to date for all equipment, including your networked camera surveillance. In some cases, these updates will patch various susceptibilities and bolster your security.
 

Be Wary of Cheap Smart Home Equipment In El Paso

Name brands like ADT and Amazon have reputations to maintain and will take steps to rectify a security flaw in their components. Other knock-off options might not act in the same fashion. Getting your smart thermostat, video doorbell, surveillance system, and other components from one source like ADT makes sense. And deciding to have all of your equipment installed simultaneously will go a long way to ensuring proper configuration, security, and performance. It’s also worthwhile to point out that ADT Command, the hub of your security system, utilizes two-way encryption when communicating with your smart devices.

Design Your Own El Paso Home Defense Package

Since you now have a better idea on how to keep your home network secure, It’s the right moment to begin designing your own smart home security system in El Paso. The security specialists at Secure24 Alarm Systems are ready to customize the right package for your home. Dial (915) 233-0687 or fill out the form to get started.