7 Ways To Secure Your Smart Home From Hackers

TL;DR

Smart home security starts with everyday choices, not expensive gadgets. A connected camera, smart lock, speaker, or thermostat can create problems when its account, software, or network is poorly protected.

· Lock down the router, use unique passwords, and turn on multi-factor authentication where available.

· Update devices, separate connected gadgets from sensitive computers, and switch off features you do not need.

· Review camera privacy controls, check connected devices regularly, and act quickly on unfamiliar activity.

· These seven steps reduce common risks while letting you keep the convenience of your connected home.

Introduction

Imagine checking your front door from your phone, adjusting the lights by voice, or turning down the thermostat while you are away. These features make homes easier to manage, but every connected device also brings software, accounts, and permissions that need attention. A security camera can expose private video, while an unsecured router can put other devices on the same network at risk.

The danger is not limited to someone taking control of a smart lock. In a March 2026 FBI advisory about residential proxy networks, investigators warned that compromised internet-connected devices can be used to route criminals’ online activity through ordinary home connections. That does not mean every smart gadget is an easy target. It does mean a few basic precautions are worth taking. Here are seven practical ways to secure your smart home from hackers.

1. Secure Your Router and Home Wi-Fi Network

Your router connects many of the devices in your home to the internet, making it a sensible place to begin. Sign in to its settings using the manufacturer’s app or the local admin page. Change the factory-set administrator password and make sure it is different from the password used to join Wi-Fi. Someone who accesses the router’s administration controls may be able to change its security settings.

For wireless security, select WPA3-Personal when your equipment supports it. WPA2-Personal is still a practical option for compatible older devices, but avoid outdated WEP and WPA modes. Use a long, unique Wi-Fi passphrase rather than personal details or an easy-to-guess phrase. Keep the router’s firewall enabled and check whether its firmware updates automatically.

The Federal Trade Commission’s home Wi-Fi guidance explains the difference between Wi-Fi and router admin passwords and recommends modern encryption. If the router no longer supports secure settings or software updates, consider replacing it.

2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords and Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

Your Wi-Fi password is just one defense. Cameras, doorbells, smart locks, and voice assistants often have separate manufacturer accounts. If you reuse a password from another service, a breach elsewhere could help an attacker sign in to your smart home account without ever joining your wireless network.

Use a unique password for each account, ideally created and stored in a reputable password manager. Replace any default device credentials during setup. Where supported, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on the manufacturer’s app or cloud account. An authenticator app or another verification step can make a stolen password less useful to an attacker.

Pay special attention to the account that manages your entire smart home ecosystem. Review who has household access, give each person their own account when possible, and remove permissions that are no longer needed. As NIST’s smart home security guidance emphasizes, password reuse is a preventable risk, and MFA adds protection when credentials are exposed.

3. Keep Smart Devices, Hubs, and Apps Updated

A device may work perfectly and still contain a software vulnerability. Manufacturers release firmware updates to fix security flaws, improve reliability, and correct other defects. Update routers, hubs, cameras, and their control apps.

Turn on automatic updates when the option exists. For devices that require manual updates, open the manufacturer’s official app or support website and follow its instructions. Do not install firmware from random download sites. Make it a habit to check the update status of devices you rarely open, especially cameras and network equipment.

Also find out when the manufacturer plans to end support. A device that no longer receives security fixes can become a lasting weak point even if its basic features still function. The FTC’s advice on internet-connected devices recommends updating firmware and companion apps, and disconnecting older devices that are no longer used. If critical equipment has reached end of support, plan to retire or replace it.

4. Separate Smart Home Devices From Your Main Network

Your laptop may hold banking records, work files, and personal documents. Your smart light bulb does not need the same network access. Placing internet-connected gadgets on a separate network can help limit how easily a problem with one device affects others.

Many home routers can create a guest Wi-Fi network or a dedicated network for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Connect compatible cameras, plugs, bulbs, and other smart accessories to that network, while keeping personal computers and sensitive devices on the primary one. Check the router’s documentation to confirm that client isolation or network separation is actually enabled. A guest network name alone does not guarantee isolation.

Some smart hubs, casting features, or local automations need devices to communicate across networks. Test important routines after changing settings and allow only the connections you need. NIST recommends network segmentation so a less-trusted connected device does not automatically share a network with computers containing sensitive information.

5. Disable Unnecessary Features and Remote Access

Smart home products sometimes arrive with features enabled for convenience. These may include remote administration, internet-facing services, device discovery, or integrations with third-party apps. Every unused capability is another setting to maintain and, potentially, another route someone could attempt to exploit.

Start with your router. Turn off remote administration from the internet if you do not need it. Review Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), which can allow devices to request network access rules automatically, and disable it if your setup does not require it. Remove port-forwarding rules you do not recognize or use. Changing these settings may affect some games, cameras, or remote-control features, so test the functions you rely on.

Then review individual devices. Disable unused microphones, purchasing functions, old integrations, and remote-access options where suitable. If you need to manage devices while traveling, prefer the manufacturer’s supported, secured access method rather than exposing a device’s admin page directly to the internet. The FTC recommends switching off unneeded router features because convenience settings can increase security exposure.

6. Protect Smart Cameras and Review Privacy Settings

Security cameras and video doorbells protect your home, but their footage can reveal who lives there, when people come and go, and what happens in private spaces. Start by checking which accounts can view live video and saved recordings. Remove former household members, unused shared links, and old devices from the account. Enable login alerts and MFA when available.

Open the camera’s privacy settings to see whether recordings are saved locally or in the cloud, how long they are retained, and whether audio recording is enabled. Use privacy zones or recording schedules when the product supports them. For indoor cameras, consider a physical shutter or power switch in spaces where continuous recording is unnecessary. FTC guidance on home security cameras also advises securing the home network and keeping camera software current.

Voice assistants deserve a similar review. Check connected accounts, voice purchasing permissions, stored recordings, and options for deleting audio history. The FTC’s voice assistant privacy guide explains why wake-word detection can sometimes activate unexpectedly. Privacy also depends on controlling what devices collect and retain.

7. Monitor Connected Devices and Watch for Suspicious Activity

Good security does not end after the initial setup. Check your router’s connected-device list occasionally and identify unfamiliar names or hardware. Manufacturers sometimes display cryptic model numbers, so verify an unknown entry before assuming it is malicious. Review security notifications and account sign-in history in the apps that provide them.

Watch for warning signs such as unexpected password-reset messages, unfamiliar signed-in sessions, camera settings changing without your input, or devices repeatedly reconnecting. One unusual behavior alone is not proof of hacking. Look for several signs and check whether a routine update, power outage, or network problem could explain the change.

If you suspect a compromise, disconnect the affected device from the network, change the relevant account password using a trusted phone or computer, and sign out unknown sessions. Install verified updates, review shared access, and follow the manufacturer’s recovery or reset instructions before reconnecting. If malicious firmware is suspected or the device is unsupported, replacement may be safer than assuming a factory reset solved everything. The FBI recommends monitoring home network activity and checking connected IoT devices for suspicious behavior.

Final Thoughts

A safer smart home does not require you to abandon convenient technology. It requires protecting the accounts, devices, and network that make it work. Start with the router and your most sensitive products, especially cameras and smart locks. Then build a simple routine to check for updates, review access, and remove devices you no longer trust or use.

No setting makes a connected home completely hack-proof. But strong authentication, current software, limited access, and regular checks can reduce avoidable risks. The best smart home security plan is one your household understands and can maintain.

FAQs

Can a Smart Home Be Hacked Even with a Strong Wi-Fi Password?

Yes. A strong Wi-Fi password helps prevent unauthorized access to the wireless network, but it does not protect every smart home account or software component. Someone could exploit a vulnerable device or sign in to a manufacturer account using stolen credentials. Combine secure Wi-Fi settings with device updates, unique account passwords, MFA where available, and careful access permissions.

Are Smart Home Devices Safer on a Guest Network?

They can be, provided the router actually separates guest devices from the main network. This can make it harder for a compromised smart device to communicate with a laptop or another sensitive system. Check whether your router offers guest isolation or a dedicated IoT network. Be aware that some local controls and smart home routines may need additional configuration to work across separated networks.

Do Smart Home Devices Need Antivirus Software?

Most smart bulbs, locks, speakers, and similar appliances do not support traditional antivirus applications. Their main protections are secure firmware, account authentication, a well-configured router, and updates from the manufacturer. Use reputable security software where appropriate on the phones and computers that manage your devices. Avoid installing unofficial tools or firmware that claim to protect smart gadgets without clear manufacturer support.

How Can You Tell if a Smart Camera Has Been Hacked?

Possible warning signs include sign-in notifications you do not recognize, new users or shared accounts, unexpected setting changes, and access logs showing unusual sessions. A camera moving or disconnecting unexpectedly is not enough to confirm an attack because technical faults can cause similar behavior. If the evidence suggests unauthorized access, change the account password, revoke sessions, enable MFA, and contact the manufacturer if needed.

What Should You Do if a Smart Home Device Is Compromised?

Disconnect the device, then secure the related manufacturer account from another trusted device. Change its password, remove unfamiliar users, and review connected services. Check the vendor’s guidance for verified updates, reset procedures, or replacement recommendations. If a smart lock, alarm, or camera is involved, use an alternative physical security measure until it is trustworthy again. Do not reconnect equipment you suspect remains compromised.