We might not live in a Jetsons-like future with robot maids and flying cars, but we do have the technology to transform our standard houses into futuristic smart homes. There are some very compelling reasons to do that, including having more control over your environment, increased automation for repeated tasks, and even improved security.
Having the smart home experience without the privacy nightmare isn’t impossible, however. You just need to take a few proactive steps.
A less extreme approach is to think about what smart features you actually need. Instead of simply installing every single device available, focus on the smart features that will actually benefit you and your family’s lifestyle. For example, will light bulbs that change hue and temperature throughout the day make a real difference in your life? If the answer isn’t an emphatic yes, you can limit your privacy exposure simply by not installing smart light bulbs.
Shop smart
If you're in the market for a new smart vacuum, for example, you can check out our buying guide to see options based on firsthand testing. If it's smart light bulbs you're in the market for, check out Lifehacker sister site PCMag's buying guide.
Change your router settings: Don’t keep the factory default SSID (the wifi network name) or default password in place (and please use a strong password). Then set up strong encryption—WPA3 if you can, WPA2 if that’s your only option (but if you have privacy concerns, upgrading to a router that offers WPA3 would be best).
Separate passwords and 2FA. Each smart device is probably controlled by an app of some sort, and each one might have its own password and security settings. Don’t use the same password for each one, and definitely set up two-factor authentication (2FA) if it’s available. This adds an extra hurdle to accessing your devices, but it will help keep your data secure.
Check the settings
For example, if you have a Google Nest smart speaker, you can access the privacy settings through the Google Home app. Go to Settings > Privacy > Your Data in the Assistant, then choose Personalized ads and turn the setting off. While you’re in there, you might also want to turn off Audio recordings, a setting which allows Google to save the things you say to your devices.
eco+ menu and make sure this is disabled.
Hackers are constantly probing the security limitations in smart devices and discovering innovative ways to gain access and control. Reputable manufacturers will work to update the software and firmware in these devices to keep them secure—but getting those updates isn’t always automatic.
Updates will depend on the device in question, but you'll likely be able to find them in the smart device's app (or the hub app). Some will update automatically—if you have an August Home Smart Lock on your front door, for example,you’ll occasionally receive a notification that a firmware update is available when your phone connects to the lock via Bluetooth. You have the option to postpone the update by walking away, but you should always do it right away. (It only takes a few minutes.)
Physical security
Finally, let’s not make the basic mistake of assuming all security is digital. If you want your smart devices to guard your secrets, make sure they’re not easily accessible in the physical sense. This is primarily a concern for any smart devices installed on the exterior of the house (or that could be accessed from the outside in some way), but it’s possible that a bad actor could gain access to your home’s interior in order to tamper with your devices, so keep their physical security in mind any time you let someone you don’t know and trust into your home.
And don’t forget that your phone or tablet is the portal to control all your smart home features and privacy settings, so physical access to that can give someone access to all your private information. Always secure this device with a strong PIN or biometric security feature.
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