Do You Have Smart Home Devices? These Are the 5 Most Likely to Get Hacked

By the year 2027, it’s estimated that more than 93% of households will have home smart devices.

As a matter of fact, each household has more than a dozen internet-capable devices on average, which is an impressive feat considering that the first smart home assistant was released in 2005.

With that in mind, having innovative Internet of Things (IoT) devices doesn’t mean that you’re safe from cybercriminals.

Here are the 5 smart home devices most susceptible to hacking.

1. Laptops and Smartphones

The first and most common place where breaches originate is through laptops and smartphones.

This may seem obvious, but it’s important to note that hackers target these devices more than any other. So, you should pay close attention to your laptop and smartphone in case there are any obvious signs.

Not only this but if hackers gain access to your smartphone or laptop, they may be able to break into other devices in your home network. So, you need to make sure your personal devices are protected at all costs.

2. Gaming Consoles

Gaming consoles are another type of device that’s commonly targeted by cybercriminals.

It’s common for gamers to make purchases and subscribe to services through payment details stored on their consoles, which gives hackers a clear target.

However, the risks don’t stop there.

Cybercriminals have also started targeting users who have purchased digital products in the form of in-game upgrades.

From attires to accessories and weapons, cybercriminals can not appropriate your in-game items and resell them to the illegal market, so your best bet is to stay safe.

3. Cameras

Whether it’s security, babysitter, or your average security camera, these devices pose a significant threat in terms of hacking potential.

There are a few different reasons why security cameras are a particularly easy target, including:

• Ability to commit other crimes: Security cameras can tell criminals when it’s busy and when your property is vulnerable.
• Cameras are usually online around the clock: Cameras are usually online around the clock and can be hacked at any time.
• Software update frequency tends to be much lower: Most people don’t update their camera software regularly, and only higher-end models tend to have automatic updating, which may pose a threat.

Moreover, some cameras only have basic security features, which makes them more susceptible to hacking than other devices.

4. Smart TVs

Around 45% of all homes that have an internet connection also have at least one smart TV.

Like gaming consoles, smart televisions are used for entertainment, but they also store payment information and login details to other platforms.

This has pushed hackers to target smart televisions more frequently than other home devices.

What’s more, hackers often target models manufactured by up-and-coming brands that don’t have the resources to set up a robust security system in every operating system.

5. Smart Refrigerators

Brands like LG have produced smart refrigerators since the year 2000. However, their long-standing popularity has only made smart fridges an even bigger target for hackers.

As with other devices, hackers have a distinct reason to target these devices.

It’s common for people to acquire a smart refrigerator and forget about updating its software.

When this occurs, hackers commonly use refrigerators as the entry point to a network, spread to other devices, and even install dormant malware on the fridge.

How to Protect Your Smart Home Devices

Here are three easy steps you can follow to minimize your chances of a digital attack.

Encrypt Your Connection

Your smartphone and laptop may be the most commonly targeted devices in your home, but they are also the easiest to protect through encryption.

Look for a reliable VPN download app and use it to protect your connection whenever you access the web.

Keep Software Up-to-Date

We mentioned a few times how out-of-date could create a major risk. To prevent this, make sure that all IoT devices in your house are updated with the most recent software.

Acquire Gadgets with Good Security

A brand’s quality usually reflects its commitment to security, so keep this in mind when shopping for your next IoT devices.

If you have the option between an established brand that’s known for performance and a more obscure device manufacturer, opting for the leading company usually yields the best results in terms of security levels.

To Wrap Up

Laptops, gaming consoles, and refrigerators are among the most commonly hacked IoT devices at home.

However, the good news is that there are steps you can take to protect yourself and safeguard your household.

As long as you update your device software, acquire gadgets from brands that focus on security, and follow the other tips above, you should be able to minimize the chances of suffering a cybersecurity breach at home.