Smart Home, Big Risks: Top Cybersecurity Threats Homeowners Need To Know

Smart home devices are becoming increasingly common. From webcams to thermostats, to TVs and even AI-improved refrigerators, homeowners have an array of choices to make their lives easier. These devices can also boost home prices, making them a worthwhile investment.

Yet, these smart home gadgets can also be compromised and are subject to a slew of cybersecurity threats.

In fact, Rambus, a chip and silicon IP provider, found that an eye-popping 80% of Internet of Things (IoT) devices “are vulnerable to a wide range of attacks.”

Mike Halbouni, founder of PoyntGuard, a security camera and surveillance installation company, said that as homes become more connected, cybersecurity is just as critical as physical security.

“Every smart device that connects to your network, including cameras, doorbells, thermostats, smart locks, and voice assistants, can become a potential entry point for hackers if not properly secured,” he said.

Common cybersecurity threats, from weak passwords and credentials

Jason Chen, technical director and tech expert at JarnisTech, a professional electronics manufacturer, said that the more “smart” your home gets, the more exposed you become.

“Convenience has a cost, and that cost is usually hidden in the fine print of your device’s security settings,” he said.

The most threat to your smart home security comes from weak default credentials and passwords, according to Thomas S. Hyslip, assistant professor of instruction for the M.S. in cybercrime program in the criminology department at the University of South Florida. 

As Hyslip explained, many smart devices, including smart cameras, baby monitors, smart doorbells, network routers, and smart hubs, are shipped with publicly known or easily guessable factory passwords and settings, such as "admin" or "123456.”

“Cybercriminals use automated tools to scan the internet, searching for devices with these default settings to gain immediate and full control, potentially compromising your entire home network,” he said.

To mitigate this threat, homeowners must change passwords immediately and often.

Another tip: Avoid inexpensive IoT devices with hard-coded, unchangeable passwords, as these products are permanently vulnerable to takeover and pose an unacceptable risk to your network security, he added. 

Lack of knowledge

Tony Anscombe, chief security evangelist at ESET, a cybersecurity vendor, echoed the sentiment, saying that smart devices introduce several potential risks, the primary ones being privacy and security.

Anscombe added that consumers need to ensure they understand exactly what data is being collected by smart devices, how it’s being secured, where it’s being stored, and whether it will be used for any other purposes or shared with a third party.

Tim Kravchunovsky, CEO of Chirp, an IoT solutions provider for short-term rentals, also said that the biggest cybersecurity threat most homeowners face isn’t a single device, it's their own home network and IT knowledge. 

“Depending on how much home automation someone has, their devices may hold extremely sensitive information. Yet most people who automate their homes aren’t very technical, and that lack of expertise creates wide security gaps,” he said.

He added that nearly all consumer IoT devices operate over Wi-Fi. Once an attacker gains access to a home’s Wi-Fi network, which is often far easier than people think, they can pivot to the devices themselves and access the data flowing through them. 

“Businesses recognized this risk years ago, which is why many now isolate IoT devices in a completely separate environment rather than letting them live on the main network,” he said. 

Smart cameras and doorbells

According to Chen, these devices, which are designed to keep you safe, are actually easy prey for hackers themselves.

“I know individuals who have used hacked cameras to spy on families, to record them inappropriately, to even broadcast those feeds for everyone to see without their consent,” he said, adding that this happens because many people never update default passwords, update firmware, or connect cameras to their main Wi-Fi networks.

“A hacker, after penetrating, can monitor all of your movements—literally,” he said.

Chen added that to fix this, there are several steps you can take: turn on two-factor authentication (2FA); change all default login credentials; and set up a separate Wi-Fi network just for smart devices.

Smart speakers and voice assistants

Dave Meister, cybersecurity evangelist of Check Point Software Technologies, said there have been instances in which attackers have tricked these devices into making purchases or controlling other smart-home features. They’re also constantly listening, which makes them a privacy risk if not configured well, he said. 

What to do: According to Meister, turn off voice-purchasing, use strong and unique passwords, and use the physical mute button when you’re not using it.

And as Chen said: “The golden rule here is if a device is always listening, assume it is always collecting and act accordingly.”

Smart locks and garage systems

Smart locks make life easier, especially for those among us who constantly forget where they put their keys.

However, as Chen put it, these introduce a terrifying vulnerability: If someone compromises your smartphone or your Wi-Fi, your front door could literally unlock for them.

“The same goes for connected garage systems. Many rely on cloud-based apps that, if breached, could grant access to your home in seconds,” he said.

Instead, Chen urges homeowners to use locks with end-to-end encryption; lock down your smartphone with biometrics and remote wipe options; and audit who has access—remove old guest codes or app permissions you’ve forgotten about.

Smart TVs and streaming devices

Gene Petrino, lead adviser for Security.org, a company specializing in personal and home security, and a retired SWAT commander, said that many devices include microphones and cameras that can be exploited if security is weak.

Petrino recommends turning off unused connectivity features, such as voice control and camera, and only installing apps from trusted sources. In addition, he urges homeowners to enable firmware updates regularly.

“Think of your smart home like a digital ecosystem; each device is a door. The more devices you connect, the more doors you create. Secure each one with strong passwords, regular updates, and separate networks for critical systems,” he said.

Check Point Software Technologies’ Meister added that, surprisingly, these are among the most vulnerable devices in the home. 

“A lot of the cheaper streaming boxes run old software, and we’ve seen cases this year where malware actually came pre-installed on knockoff devices people bought online. Once they’re plugged in, they can be used for things like click-fraud or even large-scale attacks,” he said.

Meister offered another tip: Stick to reputable brands and keep up to date.

Home Wi-Fi router

“The router is basically the front door to your digital house,” said Meister.

As he noted, the average home sees dozens of attack attempts a day, and a lot of IoT traffic isn’t encrypted at all. If your router is old or still using the default login, it’s an easy target.

What you can do is use a strong Wi-Fi password and turn on automatic updates, he said.

Smart thermostats

Security.org’s Petrino said attackers can gather data on your daily routines—like when you’re home or away—or use unsecured devices to access your entire Wi-Fi network.

He said that homeowners should create a separate network for smart devices, use strong router passwords and WPA3 encryption, and avoid connecting unnecessary appliances to the internet.

Meister also cautions that many owners don’t realize appliances can be hacked, too, and that older or cheap models often never get software updates, which means any vulnerability lives forever.

His advice? Before buying, check whether the brand actually updates its products. And if a device stops getting updates, it’s time to replace it.

“If I had to give homeowners one simple rule, it’d be this: Treat every smart device like a tiny computer. Update it, use a strong password, and don’t put it on the same network as the devices that actually matter, like your laptop or phone,” he added.