Your home is the perfect haven. No matter where you go, the ultimate place on earth where you get utmost relaxation is your home. And to keep it that way, you need to ensure that it is maintained and secured.
There are various factors to keep in mind when it comes to home security, especially now. It has become a bit too easy for cybercriminals to get their hands-on personal information of the users. IoT devices are their primary targets. Using these, they can leverage our conversations and hack or infiltrate our houses’ security.
As per stats, New Mexico ranks on the top in case of burglaries in the United States. The state reported around 830 burglaries per 100k inhabitants in 2018. The number is around 200 in New York. These numbers make it imperative to invest in the best security measures, no matter if it is IoT devices or something else. In addition to criminals gaining access to your house, there is a chance that your private communications will leak, or suspicious neighbors will exploit your unsecured Wi-Fi to perform criminal activities. None of these scenarios are pleasant. Hence, craft the ultimate protection strategy for your home.
Best Home Security measures to put in place
As you have discovered the need for home security, you will probably be looking for some methods. Here we have some great tips for you!
1. Security of IoT Devices
Devices like smart doors, smart sensors, virtual assistants, hubs, cameras, and almost everything that needs an internet connection to function are hackable. Smart doors can be hacked by infecting them with malware.
Virtual assistants can be hacked for getting your information. Thermostats can be hacked to find out if you are home or not. There are many other examples similar to them. Hence, it is necessary to keep these devices secure. To do this, you should keep a strong password, use a strong encryption technique, keep updating the firmware, use two-factor authentication.
2. Network Security
All of the IoT devices are connected to a single network at your house, right? There is a high probability that it will be compromised. But, if you split the network, it will be tough for hackers to get access to all the devices by hacking one network. Thus, you can prevent the spread of unauthorized access by simply splitting your networks, preferably according to their use.
To enhance the security of your internet-connected devices, you can turn to a VPN. Choose to install it on devices you use regularly. Smartphones and computers will likely contain and traverse a lot of web traffic. As a rule, you need to secure them. A VPN hides computer traffic and prevents ISPs, intrusive roommates, marketers, and other third parties from seeing your online actions.
3. Smart Lighting
Using smart lighting is a great way to catch sneak thieves and save power. The thing with smart lights is that they turn on by sensing motion. This way, if a burglar tries to raid your house, he will be visible to you if you have a security camera. Moreover, these lights also save a lot on your power bill.
4. Install Security Cameras
To keep all-time surveillance over your house, it is best to install security cameras at your house. Make sure you install the ones that detect motion. Motion detection cameras and infrared cameras are best for enhanced surveillance and saving power. Many of them will help you keep tabs on your house even when your away. For instance,
5. Make them think you are there
As most of us do these days, keeping everyone updated about our travel plans. It is best not to post anything on social media or any other channel when you are heading out. This is like offering your home to a thief on a silver platter. Keep your outing information to yourself only and keep your safe house from the prying eyes of the burglars.
6. Keep your Security locks updated
With time, there have been significant advancements in the locking system. And it is time for you to upgrade your physical security systems with them. All of us have some personal and valuable assets that need to be protected. The best way to protect them can go beyond just the key safe mechanism. For storing your valuables, you can invest in a lock that requires a key and passcode. This elevates the complexity of the security mechanism.
7. A home alarm as a must
A home alarm is an indispensable investment that you must make to keep your home secure. Yes, it will not stop the raiders from entering the house, but it will surely fetch cops to your house. Thus, compromising the plan of the thieves. Other than this, you can also invest in windows sensors and glass break sensors to keep your home secure.
8. Keep outdoors clutter to a minimum
There must be various bushes or plantation outside your house. To ensure that thieves do not hide behind them, trim these bushes. It might sound funny, but it is much harder to hide in plain sight. Also, make sure that there is not much clutter in the backyard or in front of your house. Ensure that you do not have any ladder outside the home.
Overall, your home is a place that you want to feel safe. In addition to locking your doors and closing all windows, you need to ensure that your home is also a place of digital privacy. Hackers can find ways to compromise your peace by hacking into your internet-connected devices. After all, you would not want to have suspicious agents watching your every move via surveillance cameras. However, hackers are not the only ones disrupting your privacy oasis. Third-party entities, companies, and even your ISP tracks your every digital move. In many cases, such data is sold to other organizations. Thus, your preferences might be available to entities you have never heard of. Consider the privacy-first approach at your home to stay safe when working, streaming, or simply relaxing.