IS YOUR SMART COFFEE MACHINE SECRETLY SPYING ON YOU?

IoT (Internet of Things) devices are everyday smart gadgets connected to the internet to make your business life easier.

I'm talking about smart thermostats, security cameras, Wi-Fi printers, voice assistants, smart lighting, and even the smart fridge in the breakroom. They automate tasks and improve efficiency (which is great), but they also are potential entry points for cybercriminals.

The reality is that many of these gadgets come with weak security. People tend to overlook them in their security plans because they see them as appliances, not computers.

The problem is… hackers use these to access business networks more often than you’d like to know.

No need to panic though, as you can lock them down effectively with these steps:

1. Change Default Passwords Immediately.

Most devices come with factory settings like "admin" and "password." Hackers have lists of these for almost every manufacturer out there. Change these to strong, unique passwords the moment you take the device out of the box. Use a password manager so you don't have to remember them all.

2. Isolate IoT Devices on a Separate Network.

This is the single most important step. Do not connect your smart lights or breakroom TV to the same Wi-Fi network as your accounting software and client files. Create a separate "Guest" or "IoT" network on your router. This acts like a quarantine zone. If a hacker gets into your smart coffee machine, they are trapped there and can't jump over to your servers or laptops.

3. Keep Software and Firmware Updated.

Manufacturers find security holes constantly and release updates to fix them. However, unlike your laptop, your printer won't always tell you when it needs an update. You need to check the settings regularly or turn on automatic updates if the option exists.

Bonus Tip: If you aren't using a feature, turn it off. Does your printer really need "remote access" enabled so you can print from another country? Probably not. Disabling unused features gives hackers less options for them to hack into your network.