Greenwich, CT is above average when it comes to safety – in fact, it’s safer than 59% of all neighborhoods in America with a crime rate of 8 per 1,000 residents. Of those crimes, only 13 of 508 are violent – the rest are largely property related. And while Greenwich, CT is close to the national average based on the number of crimes committed, most of those crimes are not violent. That’s good news, but it does mean that investing in smart home security in Greenwich, CT is a wise choice to put your mind at ease and secure your property. Once you have your smart home security system, the next step is keeping it secure and protected from attacks.
Why Are Smart Home Security Systems Vulnerable to Attack?
There’s a very simple reason for this vulnerability: smart home security systems are connected to the internet.
In the past, home burglar alarm systems served as standalone systems connected to physical triggers, and if any signals were sent, they were usually sent by radio waves. Today, everything is digital, and whether your security system alerts local police, your cell phone or a security company, it’s all done via the home wifi network. What this means is that your security system is vulnerable to cybercriminals around the world.
How to Secure Your Smart Home Security in Greenwich, CT
The good news is that it’s not as hard as you think to secure your home security system and there are some very basic steps you can take to secure your system, including:
- Create Strong Passwords
Weak passwords are the number one cause of hacking across the board. Always use secure passwords that include letters, numbers and special characters, and change your passwords frequently. - Update Outdated Software
As time goes on, hackers and cyber criminals find and exploit software vulnerabilities, so software companies issue upgrades and patches. Make sure you install these upgrades whenever they are available to stay protected. - Secure Wi-Fi networks
Securing a Wi-Fi network is essential to protect your data and prevent unauthorized access to your internet connection. You can increase the security of your wifi with some simple steps:
- Change the default network name (SSID) and password: The default SSID and password can be easily guessed, so it’s essential to change them to something unique and complex. Avoid using personal information, such as your name or address, as your network name or password.
- Use WPA2 encryption: WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access II) is the most secure encryption method currently available. It encrypts your data as it travels over the network, making it more difficult for hackers to intercept and read.
- Enable network authentication: Network authentication adds an extra layer of security to your Wi-Fi network by requiring users to enter a username and password before they can access the internet. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your network.
- Disable guest network: If you don’t need to provide guest access to your network, it’s best to disable this feature. A guest network can be an easy way for hackers to gain access to your network.
- Keep your router’s firmware up to date: Router manufacturers release firmware updates to fix security vulnerabilities and improve performance. Make sure you keep your router’s firmware up to date to protect against potential threats.
- Limit network range: Adjust the range of your Wi-Fi network to prevent outsiders from accessing it from a distance.
- Use a strong password: A strong password is essential to secure your Wi-Fi network. It should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
4. Limit Third-party Apps and Services
Sometimes, third-party apps and services have accidental vulnerabilities, but some also carry viruses and trojans, which can create a back door to your security system.
How Can We Help with Your Home Security System Needs?
Nothing is more precious than keeping family and friends safe, exactly what smart-home security systems provide. Fire and burglar alarms, locks and lights are fully integrated into the brain of your tech-savvy home, keeping you protected and secure every day and night of the year. With a single touch, you can lock every door and arm the alarm system. But that’s just the beginning of what Lifetronic Systems can do for you.
