3 Tips to Prevent Digital Intrusion Into Your Home
Prevent Digital Intrusion with this easy tips!
There are more electronic devices inside homes today than ever before, and without careful consideration, these gadgets can become a criminal's window into your house. With desktops, laptops, smartphones, digital home assistants, and security monitoring software, it's easy to become complacent and fall into bad habits that leave you at risk. The following three tips offer some guidance in preventing you from becoming another statistic and will help protect your information and privacy.
Don't Charge Your Smartphone with a PC
You may have been working on your computer and noticed that your smartphone was low on battery. With a standard USB cable, you can either charge your phone with the supplied wall plug adapter or plug the USB cable directly into your computer. What's the difference? Unfortunately, malware hidden on the PC could hack right into your smartphone and gather all sorts of personal data. The level of risk to hacking goes up even further if you are charging your smartphone on someone else's PC or, even worse, a public machine like those in a computer lab. To avoid this possibility, charge your smartphone by plugging it into the wall instead.
Cover Web Cameras
There are web cameras built into laptops and external webcam units that plug into your desktop via USB connection. These devices are great for online business meetings or video chatting with family or friends. However, these web cameras are susceptible to hacking and could lead to a situation where an unknown party is watching you through the camera. To prevent eavesdropping, either cover the camera (as in the case of a laptop) or disconnect the webcam from your desktop when not in use. An adhesive bandage or notecard works well for laptops, as long as the cover is easily removable when you need to use the built-in web camera.
Disconnect Digital Assistants
In the last few years, digital assistants produced by Google and Amazon have surged in popularity. These products provide convenience, real-time weather, and music with simple voice commands. However, if a criminal can tap into your device, they will be able to hear inside your home. Not only is this an invasion of privacy, but you could also unwittingly divulge sensitive and personal information about your bank accounts, workplace, or medical status. For these devices to respond to vocal commands, they sit ready, always listening, and it's best to disconnect them when not in use.
Protect Yourself and Your Family
While technology provides more convenient and innovative products for the home, it also invites more opportunities for criminals to exploit. Fortunately, you don't need to abandon these devices but instead practice some safety measures to prevent digital intrusion and identity theft. Knowing how to protect yourself, you can confidently take advantage of the latest in communication and online interactivity without compromising the well-being of your home.