These devices are MOST at risk of being hacked
Your connected security cameras give you peace of mind. They serve as both a deterrent to criminals and can provide evidence for the police in case you are a burglary victim.
We have some bad news. Crooks can easily jam your cameras with a $15 gadget, rendering them blind. Tap or click here for how the trick works and what you can do to prevent it.
Now here’s some worse news. Blocking what your cameras see is one thing, but hackers can also use them to enter your network. And it’s not only cameras. We’ll show you how to secure your most vulnerable devices.
Here’s the backstory
Cybersecurity researchers at Forescout identified connected devices at the most risk of being hacked. The results included IoT (Internet of Things) devices commonly found in our homes. Any device connected to a network for sending and receiving data falls under IoT.
Criminals who hack these devices can cause lots of problems:
- They can implant malware or ransomware.
- They can gain sensitive information from the data the devices are transferring.
- They can use the devices as a gateway to access your network.
- Once in your network, they can access your other devices, such as your computer.
RELATED: 3 ways to find out if your smart TV was hacked (and how to protect it)
Here are the top five most vulnerable IoT devices:
- IP camera: This includes any surveillance camera connected to a network.
- VoIP: Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) is a type of phone system that uses an internet connection to make and receive calls.
- Video conferencing: This became wildly popular during the onset of the pandemic and many people and businesses still use video conferencing every day.
- ATMs: Researchers found many ATMs are on the same network as other IoT devices, such as security cameras. Hackers can use those devices to gain access to ATMs.
- Printers: When focusing on securing your computer, router, phone and other connected devices, don’t forget that your printer is another vulnerability. Tap or click here for five steps to keep hackers out of your printer.
How to stay safe
There are a few simple steps you can take to protect your connected devices and reduce the risk of being hacked:
- Use strong, unique passwords: Tap or click here for an easy way to follow this step with password managers.
- Always use 2FA: Use two-factor authentication (2FA) for better security whenever available. Tap or click here for details on 2FA.
- Always be updating: Keep your devices, programs and apps up to date with the latest software and firmware updates.
- Protect your router: Change these router settings to keep hackers out of your home.
- Antivirus is vital: Always have a trusted antivirus program updated and running on all your devices. We recommend our sponsor, TotalAV. Right now, get an annual plan with TotalAV for only $19 at ProtectWithKim.com. That’s over 85% off the regular price!
Keep reading
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Tags: cybersecurity, malware