As the number of internet-connected devices increases in homes and businesses, the threat of cyber attacks also rises. Thus, it is becoming increasingly important to secure your internet-connected devices to avoid becoming a victim of cyber attacks.

Internet-connected devices, also known as the Internet of Things (IoT), include smart homes, wearable technology, and connected appliances. Although these devices offer a huge range of conveniences and make our lives much easier, they also provide an easy way for hackers to gain access to our sensitive information unless we secure these devices properly.

To protect the integrity of your IoT and sensitive information, it is essential to take precautionary measures to secure them. For this reason, here are some of the best ways to secure your internet-connected devices and keep them protected against cyber attacks:

Use strong passwords

Although this is one of the most basic steps, it is also an effective one to keep your internet-connected devices secure. By using a strong and unique password, you can keep your devices protected. This includes using a strong password for not only the device but also for accounts connected to the device, in one way or another, such as email address, social media accounts, etc.

Avoid using easy and guessable information that might be related to you, such as your name, address, date of birth, and parent’s name in the password. Instead, opt for a mixture of letters, numbers, and symbols. If you cannot come up with a strong password on your own, consider taking the help of a password manager app.

Keep software up-to-date

Just like setting up a strong password, keeping software up-to-date is another basic thing that is very effective. Unfortunately, most people usually neglect it. This includes updating the operating system, as well as any other software that is installed on your internet-connected devices, such as the firmware of wireless routers.

These software and operating systems on internet-connected can be updated automatically as well as manually. For instance, in the case of wireless routers, you can turn on automatic firmware updates and update the firmware manually through the gateway address 10.0.0.1.

These latest software updates include new features and security patches that address vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. So, it is always a good idea to keep all of IoT up-to-date.

Disable unnecessary features

Even though internet-connected devices are meant to bring convenience to our lives and make them easier, most devices come with unnecessary features that you might not need and could become potential gateways for hackers. These features can include things like remote access, WAP, or automatic updates.

If you are not using these features at all, it is best that you disable them to prevent any unauthorized access into your network that can lead to your personal and sensitive data being compromised.

Use VPN

Along with the aforementioned things, to maximize the security of your internet-connected devices, make the use of a VPN a habit. While using an internet-connected device, all of your online activity is vulnerable to monitoring by others.

To protect your online privacy and security, start using a VPN or Virtual Private Network, which encrypts all of the data that you send and receive over the internet, making it much more difficult for hackers to intercept and steal your information.

Secure your wireless router and network

Securing your wireless router and Wi-Fi network should be your top priority. A common mistake people make is that once they install their Wi-Fi router, they stick to default settings and avoid making any changes to the router. Using default Wi-Fi router settings poses a huge security risk that can compromise the integrity of all connected devices. Therefore, you should immediately secure your Wi-Fi router.

A Wi-Fi router can be secured by changing the default username, password, and Wi-Fi password, and using a strong encryption protocol such as WPA 2 or WPA 3. These security settings can be changed from the default router mobile app, such as the Tplinkwifi app for TP-Link routers.

Use two-factor authentication

Moreover, when you are not using the Wi-Fi network on an internet-connected device, it is a good idea to disable it. This reduces the risk of connected devices being infected by malware even if the Wi-Fi network gets compromised.

If you have any device that offers two-factor authentication, you should enable and use it. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second form of verification, usually in the form of OTP or security token, to make it difficult for unauthorized people to access the device and information on it.

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