Not to worry my tech hungry readers, we will keep you safe ( as much as we can !) and keep your ever expanding collection on smart wifi connected gear. For an explanation on smart devices check my post here

Smart home devices are vulnerable to cyber attacks, but there are steps you can take to secure them. Heres how to secure your smart home devices in 2023

Protect your router

Use a power surge protector,

it goes without saying if your router gets hit by a power surge it will get fried, and then ALL of your smart devices are useless. Power surges are unpredictable and they happen more than you think, ever had a circuit breaker just trip for no reason and doesn’t happen again? chance are that was a power surge but luckily your rcd kicked in and protected your gear.

Change Your routers SSid

If you leave your routers ssid as it came out the box it lets hacker know what type of router you have and potentially indicates you haven’t changed the user admin settings or password. This doesn’t have to be some military type code but remove the name whatever you do, and please don’t put your address in the ssid!!!! Also turn off remote management, it’s just another open door

Change Your Wifi Password

The default password (and ssid) will be on a sticker on the back of your new router or on the box it came in, you need to change this before you connect 1 single device to your home network. Use something long, mixed and complicated, It could be your date of birth with your dogs name with every other letter being a capital then the code on your gym padlock make sure you’re the only one who knows it. Use a mixture of caps, numbers and symbols of at least 16 digits in length but ultimately, unguessable.

Use Strong Passwords:

Use strong and unique passwords for all your accounts and devices. Avoid using default passwords, and consider using a password manager to help you remember them.

Keep Your Devices Up to Date:

Make sure your devices are running the latest version of their software and enable automatic updates. Outdated software has vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. It burns my head out when i see someones iphone and on the appstore icon theres like 34 apps that need updating!! For a great post on how to set up your smart home check my how to post here

Use Security Software:

Use a Firewall:

Install a firewall on your computer and enable it to protect your device from unauthorised access and brute force attacks.

Use Antivirus Software:

Install antivirus software on your computer and keep it up to date to protect your device from malware and other cyber threats, run regular scans or set the software to scan itself.

Install separate anti-spyware/Malware software

specialist anti spy/malware run deeper more focussed scans than regular anti virus.

Change Default Usernames and Passwords:

Change the default usernames and passwords on your devices to something unique and difficult to guess. If at all possible, try and use different passwords for every device, i know this is hard but you can use a password manager, if you’re super paranoid, write them on a piece of paper and stick it in your locked underwear drawer!!

Stick with Protected Devices Only:

Only buy smart home devices from reputable manufacturers that prioritise security. I’m going to get in trouble with this, but my job here to keep you informed and safe. But please, please, please don’t buy internet connected smart devices from places like wish or alibaba. I love alibaba, i use it for my amazon fba business, but unless youv’e heard of the smart tech manufacturer id stay well clear. if a massive firm like hikivision ( who make cctv) can get accused of security issues, then a company selling a £5 home assistant certainly can

Set Up a Guest Wi-Fi Network:

Set up a guest Wi-Fi network for visitors to use, separate from your smart home network. This can be found in your routers settings. Im not saying your visitors are all members of an underground hacking gang, but hey you never know!!

By following these tips, you can help protect your smart home devices from cyber attacks and keep your personal information safe. Smart home tech isn’t going away check my post on the stats here

The post How To Secure Your Smart Home Devices in 2023 appeared first on toptech7.com.

DO I Really Need A VPN? 7 Compelling Reasons Why Having a VPN is Essential for Online Security and Privacy

You may ask ‘do i really need a vpn?’ I’m not a hacker, i’m not on the dark web and i don’t watch suspect videos!!! But is that really all a VPN does? In an era where our lives are increasingly intertwined with the digital world, ensuring your online security and privacy has become more critical than ever before. One powerful tool that can help safeguard your digital presence is a Virtual Private Network (VPN). In this blog post, we’ll delve into toptech 7 compelling reasons why having a VPN is not just a good idea, but a necessity. You might never use the internet without one again!! If thats the case, we’ve got you covered!!

Use a VPN to Protect Your Sensitive Data:

In today’s cyber landscape, your personal and financial data are under constant threat from cybercriminals and hackers. A VPN encrypts your internet connection, transforming your data into an unreadable format while it’s transmitted. This means that even if a hacker manages to intercept your data, they won’t be able to decipher it, keeping your sensitive information, like passwords, credit card details, and personal messages, safe from prying eyes.

Use a VPN Whilst Using Your Device on Public WiFi

Public Wi-Fi networks, often found in coffee shops, airports, and hotels, are convenient but notoriously vulnerable to attacks. Some people say never ever use public WiFi! Hackers can easily intercept your data on open Wi-Fi connections, potentially leading to identity theft, unauthorized access to your accounts or install keyloggers on your device. Using a VPN on public Wi-Fi networks creates a secure tunnel for your data, making it nearly impossible for hackers to steal your information.

Gaming/ Streaming Peace Of Mind

Like gaming online You can forget about DDoS attacks and bandwidth throttling with NordVPN. They have a special feature  to set up secure virtual LAN parties with your friends. Also your isp can slow down your connection whilst your streaming, especially when watching data heavy hd or 4k streams.

Bypass Geographic Restrictions:

A VPN can grant you access to a world of content that might otherwise be unavailable in your region. Content providers often impose geographic restrictions on their offerings due to licensing agreements. For instance some social networks are banned in certain countries, leaving you to think “how am i going to share pictures of my dinner with the world?’ or more seriously your company’s social presence may depend on it, especially if you are a travel blogger! With a VPN, you can virtually change your location and access region-specific content, from streaming services to websites, as if you were physically present in a different country so you wont miss the football if you’re on holiday!!

Maintain Online Anonymity:

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have the ability to monitor your online activities and even sell your browsing history to third parties. A VPN masks your IP address and routes your internet traffic through servers in different locations. This helps you maintain anonymity online, preventing ISPs, advertisers, and websites from tracking your every move and building a detailed profile of your online behaviour. Ever been on a online store then every other website has a banner ad with the same home beer chiller you were looking at yesterday? A VPN will end that.

Enhanced Privacy and Freedom:

In certain countries, internet censorship and government surveillance are a concern. A VPN can help you bypass censorship by allowing you to access blocked websites and services. Additionally, it shields your online activities from government surveillance, granting you the freedom to express your opinions and explore the internet without fear of repercussions. We’re not saying you’re going to start a revolution but i’m sure some people reading this in certain parts of the world know what i’m talking about!

While shopping

Avoid targeted pricing, fake websites, and bait and switch attacks with a VPN. Shop securely, knowing your credit card details are safe from snoopers even on public networks.

What does a VPN do?

This is a shade too techy for me so i’m going to let my friends at NordVPN explain the finer points!

A VPN reroutes your traffic through a remote server, encrypting it in the process. Typically, when you try to access a website, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) receives the request and redirects you to your destination. But when you connect to a VPN, it redirects your internet traffic through a remote server before sending it over to your destination.

First of all, a VPN hides your data from snoopers — Encryption is important when you want to protect your internet traffic and minimize your online footprint. This way, your internet service provider won’t be able to sell your entire browsing history to the highest bidder.

Your IP (and, therefore, your virtual location) is also hidden and you get a new one that belongs to the VPN server you’re connected to. This ensures extra security and significantly increases your privacy online — no one knows what city or country you’re browsing from.

These are common VPN functionalities, but NordVPN aims higher. We want to protect not only your data but your devices as well. That’s why we’ve developed the Threat Protection feature to keep your devices safe from common internet hazards: malware in downloaded files, web trackers, flashy ads, and malicious links. You don’t need to be connected to a VPN server to use it — just turn it on, and it will guard your device 24/7.

So Do I Really Need a VPN?

If you can relate to any of the points i’ve made about then I’d say, 100% you do, My personal favourite through experience is NordVPN follow this link for a special offer

They offer a 30 day money back guarantee and have won a world of awards

NordVpn can protect all your devices:

In conclusion, a VPN is a versatile tool that goes beyond just safeguarding your data; it empowers you to take control of your online experience. From protecting sensitive information to bypassing geographical restrictions and maintaining anonymity, the benefits of using a VPN are undeniable. By investing in a reliable VPN service, you’re making a proactive step toward securing your online presence and ensuring your digital activities remain private and protected.

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