Is Smart Home Security Smart?

Smart Home systems started in security alarms. Locking windows wasn’t the best way to protect a home from burglars, so alarms were invented. And as technology advanced, security programs advanced as well. But as technology gets smarter, so do hackers and thieves. Hooking a home up to the internet, even a dedicated wireless network which most smart technology systems require, comes with its fair share of risks.

Amazon Echo

The good

Home security systems weren’t always as smart as they are now. What was once just a stick jammed against the front door has evolved, it grew through the loud buzzing noise that warded off potential intruders and alerted the homeowners, and landed where they are now. The older systems weren’t reliable, they were easy to avoid, or deflect, the buzzer alarms that also called the cops required intensely specific instructions that they were often never responded to.
Now, these systems are often wireless, eliminating the obvious and easily cut wires, and have widely expanded the features offered. It’s now possible for homeowners to go so far as to lock doors and watch live video feed from their home through their smartphones.

Most smart home security systems are set to hook up to all of the A smart home security system connects to your home Wi-Fi network so you can monitor and control your security devices using your smartphone and an app. Most entry-level systems typically include a couple of door and window sensors, a motion detector, and a hub that communicates with these devices using the set up wireless system. Most systems allow for additional motion detectors and cameras.

The Ring doorbell. Look and see who is at the door before they even ring the bell.

The problems

No security system is 100% foolproof, it’s an unfortunate fact. Most thieves are expanding their repertoire from just lock picking and clever timing to hacking.The more things that are attached to the internet the more things are susceptible to hacking. Even secure servers are at risk to a determined hacker, so it goes without saying that no homeowner should feel confident hooking up their security systems to an open network.

Because of the low maintenance concept behind these designs, it’s possible for a home security system to be hacked while the homeowner is entirely unawares.These problems aren’t limited to single homes either. In October of 2016, the entire East Coast of the United States was brought to their metaphorical knees. Events like this are referred to as DDoS attacks (directed denial of service attacks), and in this case was a deemed to be an act of vandalism.

Hackers had overloaded websites such as Amazon, Twitter, and Spotify using devices like DVRs, printers, and other devices attached to the internet. They didn’t just use their own; they hacked into connected smart objects and manipulated them—for what was later deemed an act of vandalism.

The Ring doorbell. Look and see who is at the door before they even ring the bell.

Quite a few experts in the computer technology field feel like there is not enough focus on the security of these systems by the developers. But that is also rapidly changing; developers are aware that security for their security systems is at the forefront of their customer’s minds and are taking it very seriously.