Protecting IoT Devices

1. Understand the Advantages of Connecting to the Internet

• Don't connect your smart device to the internet just because it has the capability.
• First you should check what features are available in your device without connecting it to the internet.
• You might discover that your smart device has good features which are available without internet connection.
• In that scenario, it is better to use the device offline. This is a good way of protecting your security without having to spend anything.

2.Use Secondary Network

• Most of the time, your WIFI router is capable of creating multiple networks which helps you to create restricted access for your family and your guests.
• You should also think of creating an extra network just for your internet of things devices.
• This will help you through your smart devices. Having a separate connection to act like a buffer will help to ensure to curb unauthorised access to your sensitive data when you are accessing your connection that no outside entity is allowed to access your shared files and other kinds of encrypted data.

3.Keep Changing Your Password

• It is important that you keep changing your passwords on your PC's, individual accounts and mobile devices. What you should also remember is that it is equally important to change the passwords you use on your internet of things devices.

4. Don't Enable Universal Plug & Play

• Features Nearly all smart devices have a feature, called as UPnP. With this feature, different devices can find one another and connect to each other.
• This feature makes the devices more convenient because you don't need to configure each of these devices separately.
• What you need to be aware, however is that UPnP protocols make use of local networks for connecting and are thus vulnerable to outside access.
• In case there is an attack, outside entities might be able to gain access to multiple devices simultaneously.
• Hence, it is a good practice to turn off the UPnP feature on every device.

5. Update your every Device

• You should enable automatic updates, if it is available and in its absence, check regularly for firmware updates.
• This is necessary as this is the way new security patches are installed on your devices.
• As hackers and other intruders are consistently coming up with new ways to hack loT devices, technology manufacturers are involved in the constant effort to counteract such threats with security measures.
• Thus, making sure that all your devices are updated will help to strengthen the security in your house as a whole.