Getting Started
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Big data and artificial intelligence are making our devices and homes smarter. Smart homes, digital assistants and smart devices accompany us through our everyday lives - and collect user data every day. It is important to protect this data.
The smart home system is the “hub,” so to speak, of your smart home. Either through a wall-mounted unit or software accessible via the Internet, a smart home system gathers unique information from each of your smart devices or appliances and allows you to control all your devices in one place. However the main challenges with Smart homes is hacking through the cloud. The cloud is often used as a euphemism for sensitive information that is openly transmitted and/or stored on internet-accessible systems
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Many everyday items are now connected to the internet: we explain how to use them safely.
Smart devices are the everyday items that connect to the internet. This can include both ‘hi-tech’ items (think smart speakers, fitness trackers and security cameras), and also household items (such as fridges, light bulbs and doorbells). Unlike conventional household items, you can’t just switch on a smart device and forget it; you’ll need to check a few simple things to protect yourself.
Just like a smartphone, laptop or PC, smart devices can be hacked to leave your data and privacy at risk. Very rarely, devices have been controlled by somebody else managing the device - often to frighten the victim.
Before you buy, check reviews of the product and the manufacturer. For information about how to set up a specific device, refer to the manufacturer’s documentation, such as a manual or ‘getting started’ guide that came with the device, the manufacturer’s website (check the ’support’ area first) or within the app itself.
Setting Up Your Device
Some smart devices will work without being connected to the internet. Others may need an internet connection, a smartphone app, or for you to create an account. Again, check their website for details.
Check the Default Settings
Some devices may be insecure when they are first switched on, so you’ll need to take some quick steps to protect yourself.
- If the device comes with a password that looks easily guessable (for example admin or 00000), change it
- Easily guessable passwords can be discovered by cyber criminals, so make sure you choose a secure one
Managing Your Account
If the device or app offers Two Factor Authentication (2FA), turn it on. 2FA provides a way of ‘double checking’ that you really are the person you are claiming to be, and makes it much harder for criminals to access your online accounts, even if they know your password.
Some products can be controlled when you’re away from your home Wi-Fi, by creating an online account linked to your device. You can also often back up your settings and data, so you can recover them if you need to wipe your device. However, accessing your device like this can make it easier for other people online to access them without your permission, so make sure you have changed default passwords and enabled 2FA if available.
Keeping Your Devices Updated
As with your computers and smartphones, installing software updates promptly helps keep your devices secure. For each of your smart devices, you should:
- switch on the option to enable automatic updates, (if available)
- install any manual updates when prompted
- make sure your device’s operating system is up to date
If Something Goes Wrong
If you’re aware of an incident e.g. in the media and you think your device is affected:
- visit the manufacturer’s website to see if there’s information available on what you should do check
- If you think someone has malicious control/access of a device in your home, you should perform a factory reset
Getting Rid of Your Device
If you decide to sell or give you device to someone else, you should first perform a factory reset. This will return the device to its original settings, and should also remove all your personal data from the device. Check your manufacturer’s website if you need to find out how to perform a reset.
Exercise
Encourage parents to list what Smart home devices are and how they can be effectively managed in order to keep children safe. Set the following two tasks:
1.What are parents’ perceptions of children’s safety in the context of smart home technologies, and what factors shape such perceptions?
2. What approaches and strategies, if any, do parents adopt to mitigate perceived child-safety risks?
In the resources section there are links, documents and videos to explain what Smart devices are, the risks one needs to be aware of and how to use them effectively.
What you learn in this course
- You'll be able to complete a definition of Big Data.
- You'll be able to name areas in which Big Data is of high importance and is applied.
- You'll be able to explain and classify the current discussions and regulations on the topic of data protection and big data.
- You'll be able to reflect current regulations and discussions on privacy and big data.
- You'll be able to complete a definition of Smart Home.
- You'll be able to describe the opportunities and risks of smart homes.
Get ready: Tips for MediaParent consultants
Smart devices promise to make our lives easier. In many cases – they do. But these new technologies present risks too. Whether you’re using a digital assistant to record your shopping list or you’re controlling your lights through a smart system, many smart functions can be ‘hacked’ and controlled by someone outside your home.
In summary it is important to highlight smart or internet-connected devices, such as smart TVs, music speakers, connected toys or smart kitchen appliances can bring great benefits to your daily life. However, without taking steps to secure all of your internet-connected products, you and your data could be at risk from someone getting unauthorised access to your device or account.