Internet of Things is a phrase used to describe any physical devices or objects which can transfer data over a network or internet, which run with the support of software, can process human commands, and are equipped with sensors. Most common examples of internet of Things include smart watches, smart home security systems, and biometric cybersecurity scanners.
There is no doubt that the IoT (Internet of things) has simplified our lives to a great extent. Compare how our lives have been three decades ago with how it is now. There is a sea of differences in our lifestyles and the Internet of Things plays a significant role in this.
Despite the myriad of benefits they offer to us, IoT could be the biggest threat to one’s peaceful life if they get affected by security and privacy loopholes. Here is what you should know about the security and privacy of the Internet of Things.
What Should You Know About Iot Security?
The Internet of Things (IoT) was just a simple idea rather than a reality until a few years ago. The pace at which they are becoming a reality now is amazing and it generates too much hope for tomorrow. One can say that the IoT that exists today is only the tip of the iceberg of what will be in the future.
Be it a wearable device or a smart home appliance, the fully developed version of them can make lives much easier. There are so many advantages with IoT in terms of its potential to make lives easier, faster, safer, and better. At the same time, there is a huge element of risk associated with them as well.
The extent of the privacy threat they could pose to our lives if gone wrong is something that needs to be considered. If we look at the development of Information Technology in the past two to three decades, it becomes clear that the Internet of Things became popular and widespread in the third wave of connecting devices. The same or similar types of security threats that the first and second wave of devices faced in their times are also applicable to the use case scenarios of IoT.
Closely examining the nature, origin, and volume of threats that the first and second wave of devices faced will help to understand what sort of threat one should be prepared for the Internet of Things. This will help to take precautionary measures to discourse some of the usual threats.
However, that doesn’t offer a complete package of security because there are some unprecedented risks too. A recent study conducted among IT professionals indicates that more than half of them considered IoT security as their top concern. So, what can we do to mitigate IoT security and privacy threats? Here are some tips.
Configure Every Iot Device
Many new IoT devices get released into the market on a daily basis. For instance, a smartwatch or a smart home appliance. You are likely to buy them and use them.
The common tendency among people is to think that they are well-configured and secure to use straight away from unboxing. But it is important to configure them to ensure that there is no threat or risk of possible security or privacy breach.
Learn About The IoT Devices
When you buy a new Internet of Things device from the market, you would most probably learn how to use them for your daily usage and nothing more than that. That is not ideal.
Try to learn as much as you can about the new device and its settings, configuration, unique features, resetting or reconfiguring, options to add multi-layer security, and more. In addition to that, keep regular track of all the network connected devices.
Secure Your IoT Network with SSL Certificates
When you have multiple devices connected to a network, a communication channel is open among them and they communicate with each other. Take for instance a surveillance camera installed in your courtyard. There is a linking between the camera and your home PC via the network.
You could also be accessing the footage from the camera on an application on your smartphone. For each communication, data transfer is required. What could be the extent of the security risk it poses to you if the data thus transferred is not encrypted? So, it is imperative to ensure that you secure your IoT network with a highly reliable SSL certificate like Thawte SSL certificate, RapidSSL Certificate, Sectigo SSL Certificate, or any other SSL cert.
Don’t Use A Public Wi-Fi
Never use a public Wi-Fi network for any of the IoT devices that you own. After a few minutes or hours of using the public Wi-Fi, you would be connecting the same devices to your home network. This is when things get worse.
The trojans or malware that boarded your devices from the public space easily pass to your home network leaving you in serious privacy threat. The reason why it is not a good idea to use a public Wi-Fi network is that there is no guarantee that they are upgraded. If at all you will have to use a public network, make sure you do it by using a reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network). Check out these VPNs with free trials.
Monitor All Your IoT Devices
It seems pretty cool but difficult to implement. But if you are really concerned about the security and privacy of your online business, it is important to keep a close watch over all your IoT devices. Also, do not completely rely on the conventional type of security layers.
Adopt security solutions that offer you the option to keep track of any unusual events in real-time. Another thing to keep in mind is to practice caution while letting other IoT devices access your private network. If you have to do it, make sure that those devices run the latest software and are using the upgraded version that does not have any bad reputation for security loopholes.
Disable Unwanted Features
If your device comes with multiple features and you do not need all of them, enable only the features that you really use and disable the ones that you don’t. This itself can save you from a load of security threats.
Keep Your Logins Unique
If you have multiple IoT devices, it is important to create unique login passwords for each of them. It may be easy to use the same password across all devices. But that will also make it easier for the hackers too to break all the security layers and take control of your devices.
When you set up a password, use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters and go for a longer one that does not contain your name, mobile number, zip number, and the likes. Today, many IoT devices come with multilayer security options like two-factor authentication. Make use of such advanced options whenever you can.
Keep Your Devices Updated
Most IoT devices receive software and firmware updates on time. These updates contain fixes to bugs or other security loopholes. Check with the manufacturer if the device comes with an auto-update feature upon connecting to the internet.
If it doesn’t, you will have to update it manually. If the device comes with a default password, change it to a unique one of your choice. The default passwords of IoT devices are an easy guess for cybercriminals.
Conclusion
With proper care and paying attention to the details, it is possible to avert most of the security and privacy challenges that you might face while using IoT devices. As data leakage is most often the leading cause of threats, the use of a powerful SSL certificate for data encryption would come in handy in protecting your private data.
