The holiday season brings with it the joy of gifting, and there’s a special magic in presenting loved ones with the latest technology. From innovative gadgets that spark creativity to interactive devices that bring families together, tech toys can add an extra layer of excitement and wonder to the festivities. Keeper Security aims to raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding personal data and privacy as we navigate the festivities this year.
Amidst the joy of family gatherings and the excitement that new tech gadgets bring, it’s crucial to adopt mindful practices to protect your family’s privacy, safety and digital security. The holidays are a time when cybercriminals are particularly active, taking advantage of the hustle and bustle to exploit individuals who have let their guard down.
“As we embrace the joy of gift-giving during the holiday season, it’s critical to recognise the inherent risks that come with tech gadgets. From data collection to vulnerabilities, these devices can be a serious existential threat to the privacy and security of children and families,” said Darren Guccione, CEO and Co-founder of Keeper Security. “Everyone should take concrete steps to secure their home networks and tech gadgets to ensure the magic of the holiday season doesn’t compromise your online safety.”
As part of our commitment to user safety, Keeper strongly advises consumers to take the following precautions whether setting up a new toy or opening your home to loved ones:
- Protect new devices: Most IoT devices arrive with factory-preset passwords that are meant to be changed immediately. Create a strong and unique password for each device’s related account using uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. A password manager will help generate complex passwords and securely store them in an encrypted vault, simplifying the process.
- Secure your Wi-Fi network: Ensure your Wi-Fi network is protected with a strong password, change the network name so it’s not the default, turn on your router’s encryption which you can enable in settings, and regularly update your router’s software to install new security patches. If you need to share the Wi-Fi password, do so through an encrypted sharing tool such as Keeper’s One-Time Share and change your password after guests have left.
- Review privacy settings: When checking privacy settings for new toys, ensure data collection is limited and complies with regulations, and review permissions to safeguard against unnecessary access to features like cameras or microphones. Enable data deletion options where available.
- Update firmware and software: Ensure your smart toys are running the latest firmware and software updates. Manufacturers regularly release updates to patch security flaws that could be exploited by cybercriminals. Go into the settings to manually update or turn on automatic updates.
- Use parental controls: By activating and customising parental controls, you can manage access to age-appropriate content, limit online interactions and mitigate potential risks associated with bad actors seeking to bully or exploit your child.
- Enable multi-factor authentication: Implementing MFA is a proactive measure to ensure that only authorised users can control and interact with a toy or device, minimising the risk of unauthorised access or tampering by malicious actors.
- Communicate with your kids: Research conducted by Keeper found that 30% of parents have never spoken to their children about cybersecurity. Open the lines of communication with your family about practicing good cyber hygiene, only engaging with age-appropriate content and establishing healthy limits on screen time.
To mitigate the privacy, safety and security risks associated with new tech gifts, it’s essential for consumers to be aware of the data practices of each tech toy, update device settings to enhance security and stay informed about potential vulnerabilities. By staying vigilant and informed, we can ensure that the holiday spirit extends to a secure and privacy-conscious digital experience for ourselves and our loved ones.
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