How To Protect Your Home Entertainment Appliances From Cyber Attacks

When we speak about home entertainment appliances, we think of smart TVs, gaming consoles, and streaming services. Basically, all the things and services we own or pay for that need internet connectivity to deliver entertainment or educational experiences.

This connection to the internet is what makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks, and hackers have several ways to get into our devices and steal information.

From unauthorized access to ransom attacks, people can find themselves in serious trouble when they fall for a cyberattack.

In this article, we’ll talk about the risks and ways to protect yourself from cybercriminals.

Why Are Home Entertainment Appliances So Vulnerable?

To start with, we need to remember one simple fact: most technology aims at seamless interconnection.

This means that your phone can connect to your TV, your smartwatch, your fridge, your doorbell camera, etc. Some gaming experiences are even interconnected with devices you have in your home.

This goal, interconnectivity, is what ends up making them vulnerable to hackers. Unfortunately, cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities like weak passwords, unprotected networks, and faulty protection protocols.

When they get access to a device, they steal and sell valuable information to different buyers.

Read on to find out what you can do to protect yourself.

5 Steps to Secure Your Home Entertainment Appliances

Most people don’t often think about simple measures they could take to protect themselves from cybercrime. When you discuss cybersecurity it can feel overwhelming, but some basic measures are very simple to enact.

1. Strong and unique passwords are a must

Your first line of defense consists of having a strong, not easily guessable password. As such, default passwords are a hard no, and you also need to create unique and complex ones for each device and each account.

The best course of action is to use a mix of numbers, letters, and special characters. Given that most people cannot memorize all these passwords, it’s good to invest in a safe password manager to track them securely.

2. Don’t forget to update your software

Although most software nowadays comes with automatic updates, it’s good to review our settings from time to time and ensure we’re operating with the latest version of all our software.

Most cyber threats update at the same speed as antivirus software, so it’s good to prevent a successful cyberattack by updating whenever we need to.

3. Keep your home network secure

Your Wi-Fi network interconnects all your devices at home. Never leave it with a default network name and password; change both into something unique.

If supported, use WPA3 encryption and disable guest networks if you don’t need them. Remember, according to research, over 67% of home networks are exposed to at least one online threat every month.

4. Enable device firewalls

A lot of our smart devices have firewalls and security settings built in. In this case, all you have to do is enable these features to create an additional layer of protection against cybercriminals.

5. Don’t give permissions to apps you don’t trust

When you’re downloading apps to your smart TV, your phone, or a streaming service, make sure to review the permissions these request. Avoid apps that want too much information, such as document and camera access, at all times.

6. Invest in efficient network security tools

For an extra layer of protection, consider investing in secure software or hardware solutions. From antivirus programs to a VPN and extra firewalls, all these measures can help you protect your devices and your network.

 That way, you’ll make sure most suspicious activities are detected and blocked on time.

How Do You Know If Your Device Has Been Compromised?

It’s not always easy to tell, but some signs can pinpoint malware in your devices. These include things like:

•       Pop-up ads, especially those you don’t expect;
•       Bad performance or overall slow functioning of your device;
•       Changes to your settings and accounts you haven’t made;
•       Unfamiliar apps or services you’re certain you haven’t installed or even considered before.

If you notice any of these signs, disconnect the device from the network and consult the manufacturer for support. They will never contact you through email, so avoid falling for a phishing scam and a cyberattack.

To Sum Up

While your home entertainment devices can bring you a lot of joy and convenience, it’s best to know the risks they can pose to prevent them.

Follow these simple steps, like using unique passwords or investing in a good VPN service, so that you can enjoy your smart appliances without worries.

In cases like these, staying informed and being proactive are always great choices. Remember: a secure home is a happy home.