After all, the original intent of a smart doorbell is to improve home security—not to invite hackers into the home.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
A 2017 study from Duo found that only 28% of people use two-factor authentication (2FA.) Two-factor authentication means that after you enter your username and password, you will be prompted to enter a code sent to your mobile device. This code changes each time and makes your login that much more secure, but even SMS messages can be hacked. There are physical forms of two-factor authentication that are much more difficult to breach. Many people ignore 2FA because of the belief that it takes much longer, but it adds only a few seconds to the login process—and if someone else attempts to log in, you will know thanks to the message your phone receives.
Check Whether Your Information Has Been Leaked
Security leaks happen all the time. Even if you personally took all of the necessary precautions, if a website you frequent is breached then your information might fall into malicious hands. Enter your email address on the website haveibeenpwned.com to find out if it was included in any of the currently-known data breaches over the past several years. If so, there is a chance that your password has also been compromised.
Change Your Password Often
The idea of changing to a new password on a regular basis is tiresome, especially if you practice proper security guidelines for password creation. However, due to the frequency of data leaks, changing your password regularly helps keep your account secure.
Use Unique, Strong & Different Passwords For Each Account
Many people use the same password (or similar variants of it) for every online account they have. While this is certainly more convenient, it leaves holes in your cybersecurity wide enough to drive a truck through. There are several steps involved in creating a strong password, and if done correctly, it will be almost impossible to remember. Write it down in a notebook, but do not store it on your PC.
Use a Different Username For Each Account
Just as you should use a separate password for every account, you should also use a different username and email. Think of it like investing in stocks—the more diverse your portfolio, the lower the risk. Although using separate email addresses makes the process more complicated, it also makes your information and personal data infinitely more secure.
Do Not Use Third-Party Devices
Your entire home network’s security is only as strong as its weakest link. If you own any generic, third-party devices, think long and hard before connecting them to your home network. These devices, especially if produced by unknown companies, might not meet necessary cybersecurity standards and may be particularly vulnerable to hackers. Only connect devices from companies you trust to your home network.
