Your smart home may be at risk - 6 ways experts protect your devices from attacks

"All smart homes are at risk of being hacked, but it's not a likely event. The type of bad actors that target smart homes and devices, such as security cameras, are opportunistic. They search randomly for easy targets -- they don't tend to choose a particular home to attack and then try to circumvent that specific system."

"The best way to prevent an attack on your smart home devices is to not be an easy target. Unfortunately, many of the smart home hacks you hear about in news reports occur because people fail to follow the necessary security steps that would offer defense against those attacks."

"Using weak passwords, failing to keep your firmware up to date, or having exposed Wi-Fi networks puts you at risk for these attacks, even if the risk is still very low."

Smart home devices face potential security threats, though actual attacks remain relatively uncommon. Hackers typically target easy victims rather than specific homes, making prevention strategies crucial. Most documented breaches occur due to user negligence in security practices. Key protective measures include using strong, unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, maintaining current firmware, securing Wi-Fi networks, and researching device brands before purchase. Users should treat smart home security seriously, as these devices often access intimate home spaces and sensitive personal information.

Read at ZDNET