Cyber threats such as malware, ransomware and phishing attacks are becoming more common and increasingly cleverer, compromising online safety for all home users. Couple that with an ever-increasing number of un-protected smart devices in our homes and the risk of hacks and data leaks has never been higher.
This rise in volume of threats and potentially susceptible devices is furtherly problematic due to the gradual shift of many peoples’ lives to at least partially being conducted online. Everyday tasks such as shopping and banking are as commonly actioned virtually as in person.
The desire is especially strong amongst the younger generation to be online; not just for education purposes, but also to interact, socialise and play with friends. This makes it increasingly hard for parents to manage what kind of things their kids see and hear while in the online world.
How can home network security improve online safety?
The rise of Internet-connected devices has made home networks prime targets for cybercriminals. From smart TVs to security cameras, each connected device can potentially serve as a gateway for hackers to access the rest of the devices on your network, which can then be used to either harvest information or in large scale online attacks.
The average home user often doesn’t consider anything beyond their laptop or mobile as needing any sort of protection. The reality is though, that Alexa-powered air fryer, your new smart thermostat, those cool colour-changing lights, or that other new gadget you just bought is just as susceptible to online dangers. The only difference is with these types of devices, there isn’t a quick win approach like downloading and installing some antivirus software that you have with an actual computer.
That’s where network security comes in - it embeds the security features into your gateway to the Internet rather than on an individual device, and enables you to shield your whole home and every device in it from harm; a bit like putting a wall around a castle or using an umbrella to stay dry from the rain.
