The future is now. We are living in what we always dreamed about; a future that allows our homes to become a fluid mesh of multiple technologies. However, what we didn’t comprehend as much as how this would make our lives easier, is how much our lifestyles would change in the home. Now we can do anything in our homes, with the swipe of a finger. If you want to turn on your garden lights, just swipe up. If you want to activate your home security systems, just tap once. If you would like to turn the heating up, all you need to do is tell your virtual home assistant. There are so many things that you can do in your home, without lifting a finger. Our family life is changing, but is it for the better or worse?

 

Teaching security protocol

Security is incredibly important for the modern home because just like every previous technology, home automation technology can be hacked. If this occurs, your life can become a living hell. Someone else, far away, can be in control of your home’s temperature, your washing machine or, perhaps your sound system. Your children need to be taught how to use automated technologies but only after they know how to keep them secure. Make sure that you’re using different passwords for each device. Your thermostat should not have the same password as your fingerprint-activated front door lock. Some smart TVs can spy on you if they have a webcam. Therefore children must be taught to look out for the signs that the camera is on such as a red light or perhaps a shutter noise. If someone hacks your smart light bulbs, they can be turned on and off until they burnout. Hence why you need to have different passwords for each device. 

 

Point of entry

All your smart technology will be hooked up to the Wi-Fi at home. Your router and your wireless cards will, therefore, be the point of entry that malware and hackers will try to force themselves through. It’s wise to make sure you are with a service that will offer you continual support, at least for the foreseeable future. Certain brands will be patching and updating their products automatically, which is crucial for staying ahead of those that will try to take control of your home. Changing your router password every 2-3 months is a good idea, just to stop any local cybercriminals. Go onto the website of your router company and read their news section. They could have something of a warning post that alerts customers to a fault or chink in the armor.

 

Network vs isolation

Some smart home technologies have to rely on a hub to be updated and used. Alexa will need a bridging device such as a SmartThings hub. However, some automation tech can survive just with an app. The latter will allow you to use the device locally as it will recognize your commands either through your phone or by voice. The hub on the other hand, ‘wakes up’ the device for you. The hub is kind of like an interpreter. 

Home automation is drastically changing the way we live, so you should get used to making sure your home cannot be hacked with good security protocol and updating your Wi-Fi password regularly.