Create a connected home

The average home has a multitude of devices connected to the Internet. In addition to laptops, tablets and smart phones, you may have wireless printers, smart TVs, game consoles, media players, thermostats, security cameras and lightbulbs (to name a few).

It's up to you, the consumer, to secure your Internet of Things. Doing so can prevent attacks on your own network and help prevent attackers from hijacking your devices to carry out larger attacks.

The most common cause of a security breach is an unsecured wireless network. There are a few simple but important steps you should take to secure your network:

• Establish Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2) encryption for your network
• Replace the default password with a strong, complex password
• Ensure your router name doesn’t identify your family, location or device type

For help in carrying out these tasks, refer to the user manual for your network hardware (modem/Wi-Fi router). It’ll include instructions for establishing encryption settings and changing your network name and passwords.

The Online Trust Alliance has checklists to help you make informed decisions when buying connected devices. You’ll also find steps to take to defend your network and your smart devices once they’re installed.

Download the Smart Device Purchase and Setup Checklist (PDF)
Download the Smart Home Checklist (PDF)