The Risks Posed by IoT Devices
Smart speakers, network cameras, smart locks, smart appliances - living spaces now hold devices that stay connected to the internet around the clock. These IoT (Internet of Things) devices make daily life easier, but the trade-off is that every one of them adds another piece of hardware inside the home that someone outside could reach.
Unlike traditional computers and smartphones, most IoT devices are not built to accept security software after the fact, so their defence rests on the factory settings and the updates the manufacturer distributes. Many of them also sit powered on for years while nobody ever looks at a screen. For an attacker, a device that runs constantly and goes unwatched is the easiest way into a home network.
Common Attacks on IoT Devices
Exploiting Default Passwords
Many IoT devices ship with factory-set passwords like "admin/admin" or "admin/password." If these are never changed, attackers can easily gain access. The Mirai botnet, which caused massive DDoS attacks in 2016, exploited precisely this vulnerability. A single device holds little power on its own, but leave enough of them running on factory settings and the pile itself becomes a resource for an attack.
Shared factory passwords have also begun to attract regulation. In the United Kingdom, product security rules that took effect on 29 April 2024 require a password to be either unique to each product or chosen by the user of the product (as of August 2026). Those rules apply to products still to be sold, however. Devices already running in a home depend on the owner changing the password.
Firmware Vulnerabilities
Even when vulnerabilities are discovered in IoT device firmware, manufacturers may not release updates - or users may not apply them. Unpatched vulnerabilities become permanent entry points for attackers.
The awkward case is a device whose support period has ended. Holes found after updates stop cannot be closed by revisiting the settings. A practical line to draw is to replace devices in order of how much their failure would hurt, starting with the ones handling door locks or keeping watch over family members.
Eavesdropping and Privacy Violations
If a device with a microphone or camera is taken over, conversations and video from inside the home flow straight out. The damage is worst with hardware that sits in occupied rooms and runs continuously, such as baby monitors and indoor cameras. And on a device with no screen and no indicator light, nothing hints that it has been taken over at all.
Essential Steps to Secure Your Home Network
Strengthen Your Router's Security
The router is the cornerstone of your home network. Verify the following settings:
- Change the router's admin password from the default
- Update the firmware to the latest version
- Encrypt your Wi-Fi with WPA3 (or at minimum WPA2)
- Disable remote management
- Disable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)
Be especially cautious when IoT devices connect through public Wi-Fi networks, as these lack the security of your home network.
Isolate IoT Devices on a Separate Network
Many home routers support a guest network feature. By connecting IoT devices to the guest network and keeping your computers and smartphones on the main network, you can limit the impact if an IoT device is compromised.
Isolation does change how things work, though. Many guest networks block traffic between the devices connected to them, so moving only the IoT devices across can leave a smartphone on the main network unable to find them, which breaks setup and control from an app. Keep a way out: connect the controlling phone to the IoT side while you configure things, or allow just the device discovery traffic through on the router.
Change the Password on Every Device
Change the default password on all IoT devices and set a strong, unique password for each. Enable two-factor authentication where available.
How to Choose IoT Devices
Here are criteria for selecting IoT devices with security in mind:
- Choose products from manufacturers that provide regular firmware updates
- Prefer devices with automatic update capabilities
- Select products with clear privacy policies and transparent data handling practices
- Choose devices that allow you to physically disable unnecessary features (microphone, camera, etc.)
- Select products with a clearly stated end-of-support date
Disposing of IoT Devices You No Longer Use
When discarding or giving away an IoT device, always perform a factory reset. If Wi-Fi passwords, account credentials, and usage history remain on the device, that information could end up in the hands of the next owner or anyone who recovers the discarded hardware. Also remember to revoke any cloud service integrations.
The security of your IoT devices is tied directly to the safety of your home network as a whole. Use IP Check-san to check your home network's connection details and security score, and to get a picture of how well the basics are covered.
Related Glossary Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if an IoT device gets hacked?
Consequences include leaked security camera footage, smart locks being opened, and your device being drafted into a botnet to take part in DDoS attacks. Most IoT devices cannot take additional security software after purchase, so their defence rests on the factory settings and whatever updates the manufacturer ships.
How do I secure my IoT devices?
The basics are: change default passwords, update firmware regularly, disable unnecessary features, and isolate IoT devices on their own network segment. Disconnect devices you no longer use.