10 Essential Strategies to Safeguard Your Smart Home in 2026

The smart home revolution is in full swing. Nearly 60% of U.S. households now own at least one smart home device, according to a 2023 Consumer Technology Association survey. Globally, the smart home market is projected to balloon from $135 billion today to over $400 billion by 2030 as adoption accelerates.

While these internet-connected devices bring unprecedented convenience, they also introduce new security risks. Cyberattacks targeting IoT (Internet of Things) devices surged by 300% in 2019 alone and show no signs of slowing down. Attackers are eagerly probing the expanding smart home attack surface for easily exploited vulnerabilities.

Consider these sobering cases:

• In 2019, a couple was horrified to hear a hacker‘s voice through their Nest smart camera threatening to kidnap their baby.
• A 2016 attack hijacked over 100,000 smart home devices and conscripted them into a botnet for a massive DDoS attack.
• Researchers recently uncovered a flaw in Amazon Ring doorbells that could allow hackers to steal owners‘ Wi-Fi passwords.

Unfortunately, many smart device makers prioritize innovation over security in the rush to market. Default passwords, unpatched flaws, and unencrypted communications are the norm. A 2018 Ben-Gurion University study found that 80% of common IoT devices are vulnerable to a wide range of potential attacks.

Luckily, there are concrete steps you as a smart homeowner can take to harden your devices against attacks. As a cybersecurity expert specializing in cloud and IoT security for over a decade, here are my top 10 recommendations:

1. Change default device passwords

According to the 2020 Unit 42 IoT Threat Report, a staggering 98% of IoT device traffic is unencrypted, exposing sensitive data to potential interception.

The fix is simple but crucial: change the default username and password immediately on any new smart device, including your router. Choose strong, unique passwords for each to prevent credential stuffing attacks.

2. Enable security features

Take time to go through the settings on each of your smart devices and enable any available security features. These may include options like:

• Enabling encryption on your router using WPA3
• Setting up two-factor authentication
• Configuring a device to lock after too many failed access attempts
• Turning off Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) on routers

3. Segregate smart devices on a guest network

Compartmentalizing your smart devices on a separate network from your main devices containing sensitive data (like computers and phones) can greatly limit the damage of a potential breach.

Most routers allow you to easily set up a guest network. Some even have dedicated IoT networks to isolate smart devices. Place all your smart gadgets on this network so attackers can‘t use a single compromised device to hop to your high-value targets.

4. Diligently install updates

When vulnerabilities are discovered in smart devices, manufacturers patch them through firmware or mobile app updates. Staying on top of these updates is tedious but enormously important to close known security holes.

Case in point: In 2021, a vulnerability was found in the Philips Hue smart light bridge that could allow remote hackers to take control. Philips quickly released an update to patch the flaw, protecting diligent updaters.

5. Practice the principle of least privilege

Carefully review the permissions requested by the mobile apps for your smart devices. Only grant the bare minimum required for functionality. Disable any unused hardware like cameras and microphones.

Set up role-based access controls for devices, only giving admin powers to those who absolutely need it. Require alternative authentication like facial recognition or PINs for sensitive commands.

6. Encrypt your home network traffic with a VPN

One of the best defenses for your overall smart home security is using a reputable VPN (virtual private network). A VPN will encrypt all traffic on your home network and smart devices, preventing snooping, interference, and man-in-the-middle attacks. It‘s an easy but powerful way to thwart many hacking attempts.

7. Carefully consider the risk vs. benefit of each device

It can be tempting to make everything "smart," but some devices carry more risk than benefit. A smart oven presents a much lower threat than a smart lock or indoor camera.

Carefully weigh the privacy and security implications before connecting devices that handle extremely sensitive data or control critical home functions. When in doubt, it‘s best to err on the side of caution.

8. Monitor smart devices closely for red flags

Regularly review the logs and activity of your smart devices for any anomalies, such as:

• Spikes in data usage
• Unusual login times or locations
• Commands issued when no authorized user was home

Some smart home security platforms can automatically detect and alert you to suspicious events. Swift action to change passwords or disconnect a compromised device can stop attacks in their tracks.

9. Maintain "dumb" backups for critical functions

For mission-critical smart home functions like locks, thermostats, smoke alarms and security systems, it‘s prudent to have non-connected backups. If a hacker bricks your smart lock or smoke alarm and you have no fallback, the consequences could be dire.

Keep a spare physical key and standalone smoke detector on hand. Regularly test these along with any battery backups for your smart gear.

10. Properly wipe devices before disposal

Finally, when selling, donating, or junking a smart device, be sure to do a full factory reset. Remove the device from your accounts and delete any stored data. Unsynced devices can be a treasure trove for dumpster-diving hackers.

As we look to the future, the security stakes will only rise as 5G and edge computing spur the next generation of smart home and IoT devices. Experts predict that by 2025 there will be over 150,000 hackable smart devices per square kilometer in some areas.

We‘re likely to see smart home hacks evolve from one-off intrusions to large-scale botnets and data harvesting campaigns. Currently, there are few universal standards for smart device security, though initiatives like the ETSI EN 303 645 aim to change that in the coming years.

Until then, smart homeowners must be proactive in locking down their devices using the strategies outlined here. Simultaneously, IoT device manufacturers must prioritize security at every stage—from design and development to deployment and support.

The benefits of smart home technology are immense, but they cannot come at the cost of our privacy and safety. By taking concrete steps to harden our home networks and practicing good cyber hygiene, we can reap the rewards of these innovative devices while keeping the hackers at bay. In an increasingly connected world, smart home security is no longer an option but an imperative.