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Is your smart home secure?

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Your smart home may be smart, but not smart enough to secure itself against hackers. According to Rambus, a silicon intellectual property and chip provider, an estimated 80% of the smart devices connected to the internet in your house are vulnerable to cyberattack.

These devices, including lights, appliances, cameras, microphones and entry locks, present little security risk when not connected to the internet. However, once connected, these stand-alone devices introduce numerous cybersecurity risks. Other types of devices can range from automatic pet feeders to garage door openers. All these smart devices add to the potential danger of smart home technologies.

Precautions that can help safeguard your devices: 1. Always purchase devices from a reputable dealer. 2. Weigh the vulnerabilities vs. the benefits. 3. Plan for a secure Wi-Fi network. 4. Create segregated networks. 5. Put an emphasis on strong password policies. 6. Register all devices with the manufacturer and keep the firmware up to date. 7. Deactivate or unplug devices that are not in use. 8. Reset device to factory defaults before disposing of or giving it away. 9. When in doubt about any of the items please consult a reputable, professional IT company.

It’s better to spend a little extra money to have your smart home setup correctly, than set it up yourself and get your entire identity stolen or worse.

 
Meet the Expert

Chris Kays founded F1 Computing Solutions, LLC, in July 2005. Having spent many years in the IT field and knowing just how difficult and frustrating it could be to find support in a timely manner, Chris decided his IT company would focus on high-quality, timely customer service.


Chris was honorably discharged as a disabled veteran after four years of service in the United States Air Force. Following that service, Chris became a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service in Springfield. After 15 years working his way up through the ranks into management while simultaneously putting himself through college at MSU, earning a bachelor’s degree in business, Chris decided to start F1 Computing Solutions. During Chris’s time at the Postal Service, he frequently put his computer and programming skills to use. He even cut the manager’s workload in half with a program he created; a program that was then implemented at post offices nationwide.


Chris is immensely proud of his many accomplishments throughout his life. He is and always will be a proud American and is even more proud to be from Springfield, Missouri. Chris is honored to be able to continue with a thriving business supported by the very community to which he has always belonged.

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