Smart Home Technology and the Risks Associated With It

Smart Home Technology and the Risks Associated With It

The following contribution is from another author.

What if all the devices in your home were fitted with communication technology that allows for some level of remote control or automation? Well, as technology continues to revolutionize our daily lives, today’s homes are fitted with the most stellar internet of things (IoT) devices that make modern lives easier, more comfortable, and more convenient. Here’s a look at the recent smart home trends that are transforming our way of living:

Smart home hub

This device allows you to unify your connected devices and control them from one app. The Amazon Echo, Apple’s Home app, and Google Home are some of the popular choices in the hub category with voice-activated features to make your everyday living simpler. And even your movie streaming setup can benefit from a little security by using a VPN for your Netflix, Disney+ etc. This guide here is exactly about that and you can read it at vpncheck.org.

Robots

This trend started with robotic vacuum cleaners, which have revolutionized how we clean our homes, and now there are robot lawn mowers. With advances in AI, we can expect more domestic robots that will help out with day-to-day tasks.

Smart lighting

Smart home lighting gives you total control over the lights in your house. You can now change the color, dim or brighten the lights, and some even allow for scheduling and geofencing.

Smart heating and cooling systems

These devices feature multiple built-in sensors that effectively monitor and control the temperature of every part of your home. They also have larger display monitors and geofencing support and can be controlled remotely via an app.

Concerns

Smart home systems sound cool, but are they safe? Well, there are two major concerns when it comes to using smart home devices:

Cybersecurity threats

Any device connected to the internet is susceptible to cyber attacks. Imagine all the things smart home systems know about you: when you are home or away, your daily routine, and so on. Cybercriminals can hack your router and gain access to personal information and even host all kinds of viruses and attacks on your entire network.

Because smart home tech is all linked up, any vulnerabilities on one device can create a huge security risk. Maintenance is crucial if you want to stay safe and reduce the chances of a cyberattack. So, if you are concerned about security and you think that one of your devices is not working as it should, call up a Computer Repair & IT Support right away. They will be able to help you repair devices and also ensure that they are safe and secure. 

Updating devices is also key, and a lot of us are guilty of ignoring notifications about system updates. But those updates are often designed to patch security vulnerabilities or protect against new methods used by hackers. So, if you keep putting off your updates, you are putting yourself at risk of cyberattacks.

Health concerns

Every IoT device emits small amounts of Electromagnetic fields (EMFs), which the WHO says is possibly carcinogenic to humans. Although the radiation emitted from these devices is very low, it all comes down to exposure levels. If you have many smart home systems you are probably being bombarded with EMF radiation from multiple sources in your own home. Those who are more sensitive to EMFs may experience headaches, poor sleep, or brain fog.

Countermeasures

The risks associated with smart home systems are mostly online. To mitigate these risks, ensure you use strong passwords and update software to have the latest security patches that eliminate known loopholes and vulnerabilities. Using a VPN router to secure your smart appliances is also necessary. This encrypts any data sent over the internet, thus shielding your online activity from prying eyes.

EMF protection measures

EMF is emitted by all forms of technology, so it’s difficult to avoid it completely. Plus, there are plenty of natural sources of this kind of radiation, including the sun, lightning storms, and the earth itself. The best solution is to turn these devices off when not in use and where possible, connect via an Ethernet cable as it’s much safer. You can also use an EMF shield for your mobile devices.

Conclusion

Smart home technology is a force to be reckoned with. It still offers significant advantages despite having some drawbacks. And as technology advances, it will be interesting to see how these systems offer domestic help in more innovative ways while being able to mitigate the risks.

Author

Eric is the creator of At Home in the Future and has been a passionate fan of the future since he was seven. He's a web developer by trade, and serves as the Director of Communication and Technology for a large church in Nashville, TN (where he and his family are building a high tech home in the woods).

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