IoT is booming, but at the same time, it is the need of the hour to stay safe.
The FBI recommends IoT gadget owners to isolate the device on a distinct Wi-Fi network. A network that is different from the one connected to primary devices such as desktops, laptops, or smartphones.
The FBI’s Portland office stated in a weekly tech advice column, “Your fridge and your laptop should not be on the same network.” It is wise to keep most of your private and sensitive data on a discreet system that is not connected to any of the IoT devices.
Multiple IT and amp; security experts in the past have suggested the same fundamental, and the logic behind it is simple. Connecting all IoT devices to a separate network will not allow hackers easy access to primary devices, where most of the private and sensitive data is stored.
Nevertheless, setting primary devices and IoT on separate networks might be a little tricky for non-technical users, but the simplest thing to do is use 2 different routers.
And a more convenient and smarter way to make use of “micro-segmentation” is by using a feature available in most firmware that allows the admin to create virtual networks (VLANs). These VLANs behave like 2 separate networks even though they effectively operate on a single device.
Last week the FBI branch office in Portland also gave out similar advice for users dealing with smart TVs. The team has suggested putting black tape over the smart TV’s camera lens. They claimed that cyber threat actors could easily take over the feature-loaded smart tv to spy with the help of inbuilt cameras.
So, isn’t it always better to be safe than sorry?