With the increasing technology in today’s world the use of IoT devices is preferred the most. IoT device is also called the double-edged sword. Along with making the lifestyle easy it also brings a threat in terms of security and safety. Hackers all over the world take advantage of this IoT device and threaten you and misuse your system for the wrong purpose. But this does not mean we stop using such a device but the solution is we should take some of the precautions which help users to fall under such threats. In this article we will study some security tips (around 10 in count) for IoT devices for their better as well as safest proper functioning.
Let us understanding those security tips for IoT devices one by one in the following section:
1. Get Familiar With the Network and with the Connected Device
When an IoT device is connected to the internet it makes the network vulnerable with several possible malicious threats and thus the attackers takes advantage of it and jump into the system. If more such number of devices are connected than it equipped actually than it becomes more vulnerable and hence your information is very much prone to be leaked or at least accessible all over the wire. To reduce this threat we need to know our network and the device connected on it along with its susceptibility to disclose the information running over it. Cybercriminals use your location, your personal details to use against you.
2. Providing IoT Device Access on Your Network
Once the device is connected to your internet understand the device and kind of network it is actually using or running on. IoT device comes with some security patches or features (sometimes hidden ones) which are to be known before using it. Before installing it or purchasing it check the security manner of that device along with a priority. Always go for newer models that have fewer threats and many safety measures. Check the setting of the device before using it. You might want to change the default privacy settings.
3. Use a Unique and Strong Password for all Device and Account
Make use of a strong and unique password for all your accounts and device. Avoid using the default password like the device name or the company name of the product. If you find difficulty remembering all the passwords of the different devices than take the help of a password manager. Also keep on changing the password periodically. These measures help us even when somebody has accessed any of your accounts as they won’t be able to use it if your password is changed. Also set the limit on the wrong password attempt and lockout your account for privacy.
4. Make use of the Separate Network for Your Smart Device
Utilizing a separate network for your house and office is the best way to stay away from threats. This way you can segment your network. Avoid using the public Wi-Fi network since the administrator or even person using the same network may try to access the data even without your permission or consent. This is not generally a good idea. By this it becomes easy to temper your device and account. Especially no transactions for bank and any other monetary issue is done by the public network.
5. Configure Your Device Setting
Before using the device you should never forget to change the default setting of the device because many times device while shipping with the insecure network and security settings which can be dangerous. Weak credential, permission, and many more setting should be changed according to your requirements. Configuring always helps to make the accessibility, integrity as well working functioning more stronger and enhances to one more level than previous one.
6. Install Firewalls and Other Security Solution for Vulnerability
It is always recommended to install the extra firewalls which are used to avoid the unauthorized traffic over network and detection systems/intrusion prevention systems (IDS/IPS). You can use a different kind of scanner to avoid threats like the vulnerability scanners to uncover security weaknesses within your network and the port scanner to discover the ports in the network. Check whether this port is necessary or not and then fix it.
7. Make Use of Strong Encryption
Whenever you use the WI-FI make sure you use the secure network that is encrypted. Do not use the public Wi-Fi at all because your information could be easily found by the attackers. Ensure your own network that you are working on is well updated and not WEP or WPA instead of WPA2. WPA2 is itself vulnerable to reinstallation attacks and install and update the patches for reducing the risk level to the user. Also make sure you add some settings like two-way authentication in the system so that the risk level is reduced and also you add one more layer of safety to your device.
8. Disable device features that you don’t need
Always make a habit of reading the privacy policy of the app before using it. Make sure you know how the app management uses the information you share. Also try to use as much as less feature of the app. For example try to avoid the location permission or voice control permission unless you need it. Also you can enable them when needed so avoid putting them on all the time. Also make sure you disconnect your device proper after the use.
9. Keep Universal Plug and Play off (UPnP)
While the universal plug is designed seamlessly for the IoT device but it also helps the hackers outside to access your network vulnerably using UPnP protocol. Many devices have the UPnP protocol enable default so before using the device make sure you disable it unless you want your access to put at risk.
10. Implement Physical Security
Please avoid losing your phone especially when you have all the apps loaded that control IoT devices. Make sure you have pin, password or another secure method to open it and also make sure you have the ability to wipe it’s data remotely. One way of doing it is setting up automatic backup or selective backups for any device data.
