Cyber security is a constantly changing field and no one can stay on top of all the latest developments. Home cyber security is not just for big corporations anymore! Here are the top tips for safer home cyber security, so you can sleep well at night.
What is Home Cyber Security?
The idea of home cyber security is pretty simple: it prevents intruders from accessing your home network. A home cyber security program will allow you to go about your daily routine without worrying about hackers or thieves hacking into your home Wi-Fi and accessing all of your personal information stored on your home computer or tablet.
A home cyber security system also protects you from unwanted people entering your home and accessing devices connected to the Internet, such as laptops, tablets, game consoles, smartphones, DVRs, and so on.
Tips for Home Cyber Security
In addition to the helpful tips below, always change the default password for home Wi-Fi routers when setting up new devices. If someone discovers the default password they could access your home network and ruin all your cyber security! Consider using encryption software, which is something home cyber security programs may offer, to restrict who can access home Wi-Fi.
Here are the top tips for home cyber security:
– Use strong passwords that are at least 8 characters long
Your home cyber security should start with a good password. Make sure it consists of a combination of letters (both upper and lowercase), numbers, and symbols. A truly secure password is one that you can’t remember.
Also, turn the automatic sign-in off so you’re required to enter a password on home Wi-Fi networks and for home computers/tablets.
– Don’t use the same password for two different accounts
The biggest mistake people make when it comes to home cyber security is using the same password for every account, including their home Wi-Fi router! The reason this is such a bad idea is because if one of your accounts gets hacked or compromised (which isn’t hard for a dedicated hacker), then all of your information could be at risk.
Hackers often try to access other websites connected to your email address or any apps connected to an old website they’ve already hacked into. For example, if we have Harry’s Home Supplies Inc.’s website with the email hshsupplies2012@gmail.com, then we can try to access home cyber security, home improvement, and home appliance accounts by using the email address as a login.
– Turn off your home computer every night
It’s easy to fall into the habit of keeping all of our devices in sleep mode because many of us don’t use them constantly throughout the day. However, while sleep mode is great for your devices during unused hours, this isn’t enough protection for an always-connected home computer or tablet!
If you’re home on the computer for a majority of the day, then don’t worry about putting it in sleep mode before you go to bed and waking up every morning. However, if your home PC is used only during specific times of day, then turn it off whenever you aren’t home.
– Always log out of any website you visit on public Wi-Fi networks, especially if you share a home with other people or stay home alone
One of the easiest home cyber security fails is to simply not log out of a home computer or tablet after using it at home. Just like with the home PC/tablet that doesn’t go into sleep mode, this means there are extended hours where your personal information can be accessed if someone else shares your home Wi-Fi network or you stay home alone.
– Use an encrypted app for sensitive account information
The most secure way to ensure all of your important files and information are protected from prying eyes is to use an encrypted app for banking details, passwords, etc. This ensures that hackers won’t be able to access any of your personal data even if they gain access to your home Wi-Fi router!
Some apps will require additional personal information (like fingerprint verification), but the extra step necessary to access your personal information is well worth it when you consider the potential consequences.
– Use home internet security software to prevent malware
Home internet security software protects home computers, home Wi-Fi networks, and home mobile devices like tablets and phones. Malware can enter your home computer with an email attachment or a downloaded file from a suspicious website.
These are usually disguised as familiar applications that you would actually download (like Adobe PDF reader!), so make sure you check where any new files on your home computer came from before opening them! If they’re not from a legitimate source then delete them without hesitation.
How to Protect Your Children From Online Dangers
Children are the most vulnerable people in our society. These innocent humans are faced with many dangers from the moment they are born to their teenage years.
During these sensitive periods, children are often exposed to many situations in life that may cause them significant problems as adults. One of the worst problems is internet navigation because the content and websites accessed on a home computer can be detrimental to one’s psychological health.
Here are some tips to protect your children:
1) Be aware of your home computer’s security system. Ensure that you have all your devices set up correctly so home cyber security is not compromised by people who know how to hack into home Wi-Fi networks or devices.
2) Install home internet security software in order to protect home computers/devices from malware and phishing sites. The best home cyber security is the prevention of malware and phishing software.
3) Ensure that your home’s Wi-Fi network password is changed regularly in order to prevent hackers from accessing your home computer/device whenever they please. Hackers will use brute force to figure out home network passwords so make sure it is complex enough to be difficult/impossible for them!
4) Monitor your child’s internet usage by using home internet security software or a monitoring app on their home device(s). You can view all websites visited and apps downloaded which ensures you have transparency over what your children are seeing online.
5) Use an encrypted messaging app to ensure that all conversations between you and your child are secure as well as any messages transmitted through social media sites like Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram.
Protecting Your Home with Smart Home Technology
Home security is one of the biggest concerns for homeowners who worry about their loved ones being safe in the home. Cameras have been a solution to home security for some time, but they haven’t always been a reliable method. Smart home technology has increased home security by making home surveillance easier to implement and more effective than ever before!
Information on home Wi-Fi networks and home computers will be transmitted to your cell phone so you can easily access and review them. Sensors will alert you instantly when something happens inside or outside of the house that would warrant concern. For the homeowner this means never having to worry about home protection again because home security has been taken care of by new home technology!
When you have smart home technology in your home, you also have the option of having home security cameras that you can monitor and control from your computer or cell phone! Home surveillance has never been easier and the home security cameras are small enough to be hidden in plain sight!
With home security cameras, it is always important to ensure whoever from home will be checking the home camera feeds are well versed on home cyber security best practices. Make sure they know not to click on links in emails and other seemingly innocent places, such as downloads that ask for personal information.
It’s also very important to make sure home cyber security (and cyber security as a whole) within the context of the home isn’t left up to one person – this could lead to exploitation by someone who otherwise would not have access if more than one person was dedicated to home cyber security.
Safer Home Cyber Security
Cyber security is a constantly changing field so home cyber security cannot be taken lightly by homeowners who wish to protect their home computers/devices, home Wi-Fi networks and personal information.
The above steps will help you ensure that your home internet connection as well as smartphones, tablets and home desktops are safe from prying eyes! Home cyber security needs to extend beyond just the home computer but it all starts with one’s home network settings. Ensure that all of your devices are updated and set up correctly in order to reap the maximum benefits of home cyber security!