You’ve likely invested in smart home technology to make your life easier and safer. With a video doorbell, smart speakers, and a Wi-Fi network that connects everything, you probably feel secure. But what if the very gadgets you bought for protection are actually creating new vulnerabilities?
Burglars are becoming increasingly tech-savvy. For instance, they have learned how to exploit the blind spots and security flaws in our everyday electronics, turning the “harmless” gadgets in your home into tools that work for them. For this reason, it’s crucial to understand these new threats. Here are six common devices that burglars are now using against homeowners.
Your Wi-Fi Router
Your Wi-Fi router is the brain of your smart home, but it’s also a primary target for criminals. Since many people never change the default administrator password on their router, they are making a massive mistake. A quick online search can unfortunately provide a burglar with the default password for almost any router model.
Once they’re in, they can see every device connected to your network. For example, they can disable your security cameras, monitor your online activity to see when you’re away, or even use your network to launch other cyberattacks. Ultimately, an unsecured router is like leaving your digital front door wide open.
Smart Speakers and Voice Assistants
Devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home are incredibly convenient; however, they are also always listening. While they are designed to only record after a “wake word,” security experts have found vulnerabilities that could allow a hacker to listen in without you knowing.
More practically, if a burglar gets into your house, they can use voice commands. For instance, they might say, “Alexa, unlock the back door,” if you have a smart lock connected. Therefore, it’s essential to set up a voice pin for any sensitive commands like unlocking doors or disabling security systems.
Video Doorbells
A video doorbell is a great deterrent. However, professional burglars have found ways around them. One common tactic, for example, involves using a Wi-Fi jammer. These small, illegal devices can be bought online, and a burglar can activate one near your front door to block the Wi-Fi signal.
As a result, your video doorbell goes offline, and it can no longer record or send you a notification. The burglar is now free to approach your door undetected. In contrast, a hardwired security system with a cellular backup is much more resistant to this type of attack.
Location-Sharing Apps and Social Media
This isn’t a physical gadget, but it’s a technology that lives on your phone. When you post a photo from your beach vacation on Instagram or “check in” at a restaurant on Facebook, you are essentially broadcasting to the world that you are not home.
This is the easiest reconnaissance tool for a modern burglar. In fact, some even use location data from apps like Strava or MapMyRun to see the exact routes and times that joggers leave their homes. For your safety, always set your social media profiles to private and wait until you return to post your vacation pictures.
Smart Garage Door Openers
A smart garage door opener that you can control with your phone is convenient, but it also creates another potential entry point for hackers. If your account is compromised, for instance, a criminal could open your garage door from anywhere in the world.
Furthermore, older garage door openers use a fixed code system that criminals can easily capture and replicate with a device called a “code grabber.” A burglar can sit down the street, wait for you to open your garage, and have your code in seconds. Modern openers, thankfully, use a more secure “rolling code” system.
Bluetooth Trackers (Like AirTags)
This is one of the most chilling new tactics. Criminals can place a small Bluetooth tracker, like an Apple AirTag, on your car in a public place. Afterwards, they can use their phone to track your car back to your home address.
The app will also show them when your car (and presumably, you) is away from home, which gives them a real-time signal that your house is empty. If you get a notification on your phone that an unknown AirTag is traveling with you, do not ignore it. It could mean you are being targeted.
Outsmarting the Smart Criminal
The solution isn’t to throw away all your technology; instead, it’s to become a smarter user. The convenience of these “harmless” gadgets comes with a new set of responsibilities. For example, using strong, unique passwords for every device and account is critical. You also need to enable two-factor authentication wherever possible and be mindful of the digital trail you leave behind. In the modern age, home security is as much about cybersecurity as it is about strong locks.
What’s one tech security tip you think everyone should follow? Share it in the comments.
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