Is Your Smart Home Security System Safe from Hackers?

Today’s smart home security systems are about more than cameras and door alarms. They can do everything from adjusting lights and giving your home a lived-in look while you’re away to alerting your smartphone about a water leak and letting you remotely unlock the door for the plumber.

“I even know a person whose carbon monoxide detector triggered an automatic call to the fire department,” says Kirk MacDowell, founder of MacGuard Security Advisors. “Smart home security systems not only save property and valuables—they save lives.”

But these technologies come with a price. Having so many interconnected systems can exposeyour home to hacking and privacy risks, especially when security systems are paired with other smart home devices.

Here’s what to know about the vulnerabilities of smart home security systems—and how to mitigate them.

How to protect smart home security systems from hackers

The weakest link in smart home systems is often the Wi-Fi or cellular network they rely on.

“Consumers are not hesitant to connect their new thermostat, camera, printer, NAS device, light bulbs, or even vacuum to their networks,” says Andrew Nassar, chief technology officer at IC Realtime. “But some of these devices are poorly engineered and ship with exposed services that a bad actor could exploit.” 

Predictable passwords and outdated encryption make it easier for hackers to steal personal data, such as credit card information and photos. Cybercriminals can also plant malware, hijack smart devices, and, in some cases, even take control of smart locks and other security systems.

Once hackers infiltrate one device, they may gain access to the entire network—a scenario that happens more often than many homeowners realize. According to a report by ConsumerAffairs, one-third of smart device users have reported a data breach or scam.

To make your network safer, log into your internet service provider and smart device accounts to do the following: 

• Change default passwords to something unpredictable, and update them regularly.
• Turn on automatic updates for your router and device firmware. 
• Upgrade your encryption from WEP or WPA to WPA2 or WPA3 (newer Wi-Fi security standards that are harder for hackers to crack).
• Enable multifactor authentication whenever it’s available. 

Also, be mindful of which smart products you add to your network, as lesser-known and off-brand devices may be less secure. Look for devices that support widely used smart-home standards—such as Z-Wave, Zigbee, or Matter—and check Consumer Reports or consult your local security company for guidance.

Remember: Your computer itself can also be a vulnerability. Avoid browsing unsecured websites or opening unfamiliar links, attachments, and emails.

The hidden privacy risks of home security systems—and how to protect yourself 

Smart home security systems and other home devices are often designed to collect as much user data as possible. Cameras, doorbells, speakers, and other devices may also store recordings in the cloud indefinitely.

This raises a slew of privacy concerns—such as third parties learning your daily habits, overhearing private conversations, or accessing facial-recognition records of visitors.

“Many consumer security products currently being sold also share your data and video,” says Nassar. “Some share with law enforcement, and in the fine print, you are automatically opted in and need to opt out if you do not want your video shared.” 

To mitigate some of these concerns: 

• Opt out of sharing when possible. 
• Periodically delete stored files from both the cloud and the device.
• Ask the security company about its data privacy policies.
• Review privacy statements on manufacturers’ websites.
• Avoid systems and products that aren’t transparent about where data is stored, how long it’s kept, and who can access it.

“Lastly, many people have concerns about facial recognition—but it isn’t all about looking for criminals,” says MacDowell. “For instance, if the camera is programmed to recognize me and sees that my hands are full, the system can automatically disarm the alarm and open the deadbolt, allowing me instant access.” 

Of course, it’s up to each family to decide whether the benefits of smart home security outweigh the risks. MacDowell and security expert Avi Rosenthal of Z-Wave Alliance believe that, in most cases, they do. 

“Smart home technology is not inherently risky,” says Rosenthal. “Potential risk stems from poor or outdated security practices. Remedying concerns is far less about avoiding technology altogether and more about deploying it responsibly, so you can still benefit from the convenience and peace of mind that smart home security systems provide.” 

At the pace that smart home and other technologies are evolving, being proactive about data safety can feel overwhelming. It’s also tempting to just assume that the tech is safe. But spending the time to get to know the systems protecting your home can help them do a better job—and alert you to when they might be overstepping their bounds.