Don’t get hacked, keep checking your updates

Thanks to smart devices, our lives are increasingly linked to the internet. That’s great in some ways, because a smart TV, smart doorbell, thermostat or washing machine can make our lives so much easier. But they also leave us more vulnerable to crime. Just one smart device can open the door to internet criminals, allowing them to encrypt files, view your data or photos, or watch or listen to your movements. Updates are a means of securing your devices and data, which is why it’s so important to update your smart devices.

Research carried out by the Ministry of Economic Affairs revealed that 90% of all households have at least one smart device. The average number is four: from doorbells to smart TVs, and from printers to thermostats. Previous studies showed that 8 out of 10 owners know that their smart devices can be hacked. Half of them don’t know what to do if a device is illegally accessed, and a quarter are unaware of the consequences of a hack. A quarter of people who don’t install updates aren’t aware of when updates are available. So why don’t half of the Dutch population regularly install updates? Some people aren’t aware of the need, don’t know where to find them or think that it’s too much effort.

A lot of people don’t quite understand the process and assume that they are properly protected. Some of them think that they’ll get a notification whenever new updates are available, or that updates install themselves if you don’t get a notification. The Ministry of Economic Affairs recently launched a campaign entitled ‘Do your updates’ to encourage people to keep their smart devices updated.

Smart devices favoured by internet criminals

If your device isn’t up to date and the software contains vulnerabilities, internet criminals can hack into your device and cause all sorts of problems. The following devices are particularly popular among internet criminals:

Smart (security) cameras: once hacked, criminals can see whether you’re home or not, and then break in.
Routers: this is the front door to the internet. All your smart devices are connected to the router. Make sure it’s updated to prevent internet criminals accessing your network.
Smart doorbells: similar to smart cameras. This device allows internet criminals to keep an eye on you and your surroundings.
Baby monitors: watching your baby sleeping? Make sure that your smart baby monitor is up to date to prevent peeping toms.
Smart TV: a smart TV makes suggestions based on your viewing habits. But internet criminals can also watch and listen in, through the webcam and microphone, for example.

Misunderstandings about updating smart devices

A lot of smart devices are not automatically updated, and you don’t always get a notification when an update is ready to be installed. In fact, you sometimes have to search for the right update yourself, on the manufacturer’s website, for example. So check regularly whether updates for your smart devices are available. It really isn’t difficult. Follow these steps to update your smart devices:

Open the app for your smart device.
Go to Settings.
Tap Update.
Set Automatic update. If the automatic update setting isn’t available, set up a reminder in your calendar, reminding you to check for updates every three months.

If you receive a notification about an update, install it immediately. If your smart device doesn’t have an app, go to the manufacturer’s website and search for 'updates'.