--- title: Are Your Smart Devices and Appliances Safe from Hackers? description: How to prevent wifi hacking and protect your home network to make your smart devices and appliances safe. image: https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hubfs/how-to-prevent-wifi-hacking-DC-450x2350.png --- [Skip to content](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/are-your-smart-devices-and-appliances-safe-from-hackers#main-content) [![Wilcox Electric Logo](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/wilcox-blog.png?width=200&height=75&name=wilcox-blog.png)](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/) - [Home](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/) - [About Us](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/about) - [Services](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/electrical-services) - [Smart Home Services](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/smart-home) - [Blog](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric) - [Contact Us](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/contact-us) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/) - [About Us](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/about) - [Services](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/electrical-services) - [Smart Home Services](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/smart-home) - [Blog](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric) - [Contact Us](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/contact-us) Nov 25, 2019 3:32:47 PM # Are Your Smart Devices and Appliances Safe from Hackers? [Wilcox Electric](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/author/wilcox-electric) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/are-your-smart-devices-and-appliances-safe-from-hackers) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/are-your-smart-devices-and-appliances-safe-from-hackers) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/are-your-smart-devices-and-appliances-safe-from-hackers) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/are-your-smart-devices-and-appliances-safe-from-hackers) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/are-your-smart-devices-and-appliances-safe-from-hackers) ![how-to-prevent-wifi-hacking-DC](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/how-to-prevent-wifi-hacking-DC-450x2350.png?width=450&name=how-to-prevent-wifi-hacking-DC-450x2350.png)How startled would you be if a male voice started talking to you through your baby monitor? It would freak you out, just like it did an Illinois couple in 2018. Their smart home had been hacked. The hacker not only spoke to them, but he was also watching them through their in-house cameras. He also turned their thermostat up to 90 degrees. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Digital devices offer great convenience, but they have vulnerabilities, just like computers do. On the plus side, hackers are less likely to target your home system than an extensive database with valuable information. Regardless of the level of risk, protecting your privacy and in-home network can and should be done. Here are some ways to add more security to[your digital home.](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/leviton-and-samsung-smartthings) ### Secure Your Wi-Fi Network Your Wi-Fi network is what connects all your devices to each other and the internet. Protecting your personal network is the most crucial step in securing your home from hackers. There are several ways to make your Wi-Fi network more secure. - Change the default network name and password assigned to your router. The manufacturer of the router should have supplied instructions on how to do that. Don't use identifying information like your last name for your network, or passwords that are easy to guess. - Most routers also provide an option for hiding your network, so devices don't automatically find it. Instead, users need to know the name of the network to log in. - Generally, you also have the option to set up multiple networks within your home through one router. Putting your devices on different networks limits the access of a hacker. For instance, access to the appliance network would not provide access to your security system or computer. A separate, limited network for guests is always a good idea. ### Register Your Smart Devices and Have Them Professionally Installed Registering smart devices and appliances is very important. Just like your computer, the software in your appliances will require updates as security vulnerabilities are discovered. Having them registered will ensure you are alerted to new software security updates. If all this information seems a bit overwhelming, you're not alone. You buy[smart technology](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/want-your-home-to-be-smart-you-need-an-electrician) for convenience. None of this sounds convenient. Instead of trying to do all this yourself, hire professionals to install your devices and smart appliances. A trained professional can usually set up multiple networks on your Wi-Fi faster than you can read the directions to do so. ### Simple Security Solutions: Unplug and Factory Reset If your digital device has no power to it, no hacker can access it. When you’re going to be away from home for an extended period, unplug those devices which are not critical, like smart speakers, smart TV, etc. This will at least limit what a hacker can access. If you are selling or getting rid of a smart device, it is imperative to remove personal data and do a factory reset. You don't know who might gain access to that device once it leaves your possession. Don't send personal information into unknown hands. If you want to learn more about how to protect the [privacy of your home](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/how-to-protect-your-digital-privacy-in-a-smart-home), give us a call at [Wilcox Electric.](https://www.wilcox-electric.com/electrical-services/smart-home-services) We’d be happy to help.             [Smart home](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/smart-home), [Digital safety](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/digital-safety) ## Related posts [![Protect-Your-Electrical-System-During-Heavy-Storm-Season-in-DC-Wilcox-Electric-DC](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bigstock-Ray-Lightning-Electric-Storm-477129533.jpg?height=200&name=bigstock-Ray-Lightning-Electric-Storm-477129533.jpg)](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/protect-your-electrical-system-during-the-heavy-storm-season-in-dc) [Electrical panel upgrades](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-panel-upgrades), [Electrical safety](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-safety), [Heavy-ups](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/heavy-ups), [Electrical Upgrade](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-upgrade), [Electrical System](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-system), [Home Electrical Inspection](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/home-electrical-inspection), [Protect your electrical system](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/protect-your-electrical-system), [Storm Season DC](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/storm-season-dc) ## [Protect Your Electrical System During the Heavy Storm Season in DC](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/protect-your-electrical-system-during-the-heavy-storm-season-in-dc) [Wilcox Electric](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/author/wilcox-electric) Sep 7, 2023 8:00:00 AM As heavy storm season approaches, taking a proactive approach to protecting your home's electrical... [Read more](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/protect-your-electrical-system-during-the-heavy-storm-season-in-dc) [![homeforsale 450x250](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/homeforsale%20450x250.png?height=200&name=homeforsale%20450x250.png)](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/home-for-sale-how-to-boost-value-for-potential-buyers) [Home electrical projects](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/home-electrical-projects), [Getting home ready for sale](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/getting-home-ready-for-sale) ## [Home for Sale? How to Boost Value for Potential Buyers](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/home-for-sale-how-to-boost-value-for-potential-buyers) [Wilcox Electric](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/author/wilcox-electric) Oct 4, 2019 9:02:43 AM In the competitive DC Metro real estate market, buyers want to get the most for their money. As... [Read more](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/home-for-sale-how-to-boost-value-for-potential-buyers) [![Power-Surges-Understanding-the-Danger-and-How-to-Protect-Your-Home-Wilcox-Electric-DC](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Power-Surges-Understanding-the-Danger-and-How-to-Protect-Your-Home-Wilcox-Electric-DC.jpg?height=200&name=Power-Surges-Understanding-the-Danger-and-How-to-Protect-Your-Home-Wilcox-Electric-DC.jpg)](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/power-surges-understanding-the-danger-and-how-to-protect-your-home) [Surge protector](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/surge-protector), [Wiring](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/wiring), [Electrical Wiring](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/electrical-wiring), [Power Outages](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/power-outages), [Power Outage DC](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/power-outage-dc), [surge protector power strips](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/surge-protector-power-strips), [Whole house surge protectors](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/whole-house-surge-protectors), [Power Surges](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/power-surges), [faulty wiring](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/tag/faulty-wiring) ## [Power Surges: Understanding the Danger and How to Protect Your Home](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/power-surges-understanding-the-danger-and-how-to-protect-your-home) [Wilcox Electric](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/author/wilcox-electric) Jun 20, 2024 7:45:00 AM At first blush, power surges might sound like a minor electrical hiccup. There's more to worry... [Read more](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/wilcox-electric/power-surges-understanding-the-danger-and-how-to-protect-your-home) --- [![Wilcox Electric Footer Logo](https://blog.wilcox-electric.com/hs-fs/hubfs/wilcox-blog-1.png?width=200&height=75&name=wilcox-blog-1.png "Wilcox Electric Footer Logo")](http:///) 5602 Tuxedo Road Hyattsville, MD 20781 wilcox@wilcox-electric.com 301-583-8888 // 202-546-1010       Copyright © 2023 Wilcox Electric.