Technology increasingly affects all aspects of our lives, including how we drive, and even our life at home. New smart home automations are a top trend predicted for home improvement for 2014. Automation will change how we manage energy, cook, handle security and more. When it comes to smart home security, who we are protecting these homes from, and how we actually protect our homes is certainly changing; it’s going to take more than a fierce dog.
What a smart home knows
What makes these homes so smart anyway? They can save owners money by better regulating and monitoring energy and water usage. Leak detectors will let owners know immediately if there is a water leak, increasing response time and decreasing damage.
Life in the kitchen is made easier with motion sensors on faucets so users don’t have to touch handles with dirty hands. Kitchen appliances are doing more thinking, too. A dishwasher can now detect how dirty the dishes are and adjust water pressure and soap distribution accordingly. Refrigerators can quickly blast foods with colder temps if they need to be cooled quickly.
Security on a smart home starts with do it yourself motion detectors and keypads and goes to alerting parents when kids are home from school and making it easy for them to alert authorities if alarms go off unexpectedly. Alarms can even include video so owners know exactly why that door opened.
Smart home security
The iPhone is helping with the “how” of smart home security. Apps are available for homeowners to do things like turn off appliances, turn lights on and off and home monitoring. Because users can keep an eye on their homes from anywhere in the world, this certainly takes security up a notch from the motion detectors and alarm systems of yesteryear, which are still part of the complete home security package.
However, these automations also leave room for security breaches, not just from shady characters in your neighborhood, but anyone with a computer anywhere in the world. When your house is connected, hackers can find it online. You need to protect a smart home like any other connected device.
Keep it locked
When you’re using a home automation system, you must have usernames and create strong passwords (not the defaults that come with the system), even if the system doesn’t require it. Authentication requirements between handheld devices and smart home controls is essential in keeping a smart home secure.
Avoid leaving ports open or using port forwarding. Whenever possible, use VPN systems so the data is encrypted and harder for hackers to access.
Keep it private
Be careful about linking your smart home to an actual physical location. If someone is able to pull it up online and toy with lights and appliances, they may also be able to find out where it is physically located so they can open the garage door for a physical intrusion.
Smart home automation technology is exciting, but as homes get smarter, it’s going to take extra diligence to keep them secure.
These are great tips! And so true, you don’t think about your house outsmarting you. The only thing worse than getting your house broken into is having someone steal your phone with access to your home on it. It’s important you take security seriously and not just take for granted technology and it’s ability to make our lives easier – sometimes it can complicate things versus make it better. We have a website that is dedicated to providing resources for how to live a safe and more secure life at home, online and how to prevent identity theft, burglary and any potential spyware or viruses. More info here: http://www.asecurelife.com/ Thanks again for sharing these tips!
That’s right – “Smart home automation technology is exciting, but as homes get smarter, it’s going to take extra diligence to keep them secure.”. Every ounce of security can be breached by smart intruders. You’ll be surprised at how many and intelligent they are! Having a smart home automation technology is good, but it’s better not to be over-confident.
As we get ready to enter a new year, I’m seeing more and more companies jumping on the bandwagon eager to enter the home automation industry including giants like Apple – http://www.vivintsystems.com/apple-enters-the-home-automation-industry/ I’m nervous to see how many will sacrifice security (ironically) in order to get into the market faster and cheaper than others. We are at the tip of a new era with lots of unknowns. I just hope consumers become more educated and take the time to learn how to protect themselves. Most people still have very little knowledge about online security and open themselves up to identity theft and more.
All over the world, crime rates are climbing every single year. Every year it is becoming more and more important that you take your home security seriously. It’s definitely not enough just to trust the reliability of local public safety agencies. The fact of the matter is that for true peace of mind no matter where you live, you need to invest in a home security system.