Keeping IoT secure
As homes turn smart, how can you safeguard your connected devices? Tony Luke gives five tips
IoT-based technology has started to take over the Middle East. Most manufacturers are bringing their smart appliances to the region. “We believe the Middle East and Africa [Mea] is second to none when it comes to acceptance of new technologies,” says Mohamad Al Yassir, Regional Managing Director — Mea, Whirlpool Corporation. “In fact, the GCC and the Middle East have one of the highest rates of growth in terms of internet penetration and smartphones that have builtin remote access capability. “At the same time, Mea is home to one of the youngest populations in the world in terms of demographics. The historical learning for us has been that markets with young populations tend to produce the best adoption rates for new technologies.” However, with all these devices becoming connected there are some risks that have to be considered. Security breaches in IoT-based devices have been reported over the past few years, which has led to a growth in IoT security. The growing number of IoTbased home appliances means more exposed points of access. Without proper security, each of these devices is capable of becoming a new point of attack. Additionally, with more devices on different platforms being connected, various layers of security measures have to enforced to safeguard data. “At LG, we aim to create convenient solutions to meet the needs of everyone at home,” says Yong Geun Choi, President, LG Electronics Gulf. “We are wholly invested in identifying the daily moments where families need our technology the most. Our appliances are designed to be smart, safe, convenient and time-saving, so everyone can enjoy more quality time at home.” While manufacturers take care of a majority of security concerns, there are some things that you, as a customer, can do to safeguard your devices. Here are some tips on securing your IoT-based appliances from external intrusions.
1. Passwords
With most connected devices, password protection comes as a standard and is a highly recommended security measure. However, a very common mistake most customers commit is not changing the default password, which is quite easy to bypass. We recommend changing all the passwords on your connected devices from the default to harder and complicated ones. It is even better to have different passwords for each device. It is also advisable not to share your passwords with too many people.
2. Software updates
A majority of manufacturers work on identifying bugs and release frequent updates to fix them. Making sure you have the latest firmware and security patches will ensure that you are protected against most cyberattacks. You can check frequently for updates for both your IoT appliances as well as your router. Alternatively, you can also set it to update automatically. Always make sure your devices are up to date. Do not purchase an IoTbased device if the manufac-