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9 Signs That Your Smart Home Device Has Been Hacked
Knowing the signs of a smart home device hacked is very important because hackers can control your cameras, speakers, or lights without you knowing.
Many people ignore small signals until it’s too late.
In this blog, you will learn how to know if your smart home device has been hacked, the common warning signs, and simple steps to protect your home and privacy.
1. Unexpected Behavior
Who changed the thermostat!? If you are sweating as if it were the middle of summer and everyone claims innocence or you live alone, then BEWARE! It could be a sign of a cybernetic intruder.
The first indicator is unexpected behavior from your smart home devices. If they start behaving strangely and your partner had nothing to do with it, it’s time to investigate. Some erratic behaviors can be:
- Flickering lights
- Changing thermostat settings
- Inconsistent behavior of smart locks
But hackers will do more than just play with the temperature in your home. They will definitely use your smart devices to cause disruptions, so it is imperative to detect these irregularities before something really bad happens.
2. Unusual Network Traffic
Watching the traffic on your network is a basic part of cybersecurity. Have you noticed a spike in data usage all at once? Observed anomalies in network traffic? If so, that could mean unauthorized access has taken place.
Hackers could use your smart devices to carry out attacks or steal sensitive data. To detect these intrusions, regularly review your router’s activity logs so you will be alerted to any unusual activity on your network.
3. Strange Sounds or Voices
Smart speakers and voice-activated assistants have become part of the furniture in many homes. If you suddenly hear unfamiliar voices or strange sounds from these devices, it’s a red flag.
Can you imagine a stranger listening to everything you say at home? Hackers can do it and also communicate if they wanted to. This poses significant privacy risks, so you should make sure your devices at home only respond to legitimate voices.
4. Device Settings Modification
Smart devices provide customized settings to meet personal preferences. Have you seen anything suspicious regarding changes to these settings? Like changes in your camera angles or sensor sensitivity or device preferences? If so, the odds are great that a hacker has gotten control of your device.
Regularly check and update your device settings. This ensures that you keep control of your smart home ecosystem.
5. Unexplained Data Transfers
Smart devices collect and transmit data to the cloud for storage or analysis. Do you see where we’re going? You should be on the lookout for unexplained data transfers, as hackers will take advantage of any vulnerability to steal confidential information.
Check the data usage patterns of your smart devices regularly. You will be able to detect any suspicious activity in this way.
6. Device Inaccessibility
If you suddenly see the message “incorrect password”, oh, oh! you’re in trouble. Unless you’re the kind of person who always forgets their password, then you may have been hacked and have a cyber intruder in your house. Make sure you use password changers or 2FA enablers; this way you will prevent hackers from accessing or managing your devices.
Always act quickly to take control again. If you think someone else has access to your accounts, make those accounts secure.
7. New or Unknown Devices on the Network
Periodically check the list of devices on your home network. Do you see devices that you do not recognize or are unauthorized? If so, it’s a telltale sign that someone might have broken into your network.
Hackers frequently gain access to your network. They do this to use weaknesses in smart devices or to attack. Use Strong Passwords To Secure Your Network Network segmentation is another option to protect from attacks.
8. Frequent Software Glitches
Smart devices are subject to periodic software updates. These updates fix vulnerabilities and improve security. Have you observed repeated glitches in the software? Have you had an update fail on your device?
It could be evidence of interference by a hostile entity.
Make sure your smart devices have the latest firmware. This means the latest security patches and bug fixes are installed.
9. Emails or Messages Confirming Changes You Didn’t Make
Some smart devices send notifications or emails to confirm changes including settings changes, passwords changes, or changes in device access. Did you get such confirmations of actions you didn’t perform? If so, this is a red flag of unauthorized access.
IMMEDIATELY secure your account. This includes updating passwords and checking access permissions.
How to Check If Your Smart Home Device Is Compromised
What do you do if you think your smart home device is being hacked? Identify signs of compromise as soon as possible. You can start by checking for any unusual activity on your network or devices that you do not recognize connected to your network.
Check your router’s admin panel or a network scanning app to find strange devices. Check device logs and settings for unexplained changes — attempts to disable system settings, the addition of new domains, or installing a new app.
Look at your device’s companion app for signs of suspicious activity or alerts that you didn’t initiate. Also watch for odd behavior such as random reboots, unresponsive behavior, or high data consumption.
If that option exists, run a security scan via your device’s app or the firmware. Following these steps can help you confirm whether your device was compromised.
Steps to Take If Your Smart Device Has Been Hacked
If you confirm your smart home device has been hacked, immediately take steps to secure your system. Lock down the compromised device first to prevent any more access to your network. If necessary, change the passwords on anything connected to the internet (especially your Wi-Fi and on your devices) using a variety of strong combinations.
Factory restore the device to wipe any rogue code or infected settings. Keep the device firmware and all apps involved up to date to help plug holes. Watch for unusual signs of life on attached devices and track your network activity closely.
Lastly, consider implementing network segmentation or additional firewalls to mitigate future attacks. Regular care maintains your smart home secure.
This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.
