5 Ways to Manage and Secure Your Smart Home
Okay so your home is smart, but is it secured? We hope so! But, in the event that it’s not (yet) here are five ways on how you can lock it down:
1. Be in control of your router
An easy way to make sure that you have control over your router is to ask your internet service provider (ISP) for a router with advanced security. You can get advanced security for your entire home network with a service like Optim Managed Service Assurance Platform and Optim Agent. You will also be able to monitor and manage the performance of your home network.
Why is this important? Because the router is heart of your home network. Using an un secured router can have risks. By outright protecting your router, you take full control of your internet-connected home.
Make sure to update your router so that you are not running your WiFi and connecting your devices to outdated hardware. This can also leave your home network at risk.
2. Change and update your password
Regardless of if you get a router from your ISP or your purchase your own, make sure that the first thing you do is change the login and password information for it. Factory-issued logins and passwords are easy for hackers to crack.
It is okay to use a password generator to create a randomized, strong password for your router. Then when you create it, it’s a great idea to use a password manager to keep it safe.
3. Change and update your WiFi network name
Just like your password, make sure you update your network name. You don’t need to make it a jumble of random numbers, symbols and letters like a strong password, but it also shouldn’t reveal any personal information about you. Make sure your network name is unique and strong, but something that you will be able to remember and find.
4. Create a guest network
Creating a guest network helps keep unwanted traffic from your main network, shared files and devices. A guest network gives your guests a different access point to connect to the internet. You can usually set this up through your router admin account.
Make sure your guest network also has a unique name and a different strong password than your main network.
5. Always update your devices
Lastly, make sure to always update your devices. Software updates and patches happen for a reason. Keeping up on them will keep your devices secure and therefore your whole smart home network secure. Don’t forget to update your connected apps, too. They are just as important as the connected devices.
If all of this sounds like a lot of work, you’re not completely wrong. But it is worth the effort. If you feel like you don’t have the time or patience to do all of these things on your own, you can always look to a WiFi network management solution to help keep everything in line. In fact, with all of the security risks that a connected home can pose, making sure that your network is as secured as possible is a must.
Manage and secure your home network with Optim Managed WiFi. Through Optim’s easy-to-navigate dashboard, you can manage the devices connected to your network, enhance your network security, and troubleshoot any issues you encounter by yourself or with a professional. Optim is available through select Internet service providers. Ask for Optim today.
Want to learn more? Stay in-the-know on the impacts of Wi-Fi technologies and other developing technologies by following the Actiontec blog. Also, you can check out Actiontec’s Complete Guide to WiFi Networking.