Ho Ho Home For Christmas? Tips For Avoiding Tech Terrors This Festive Season

With Christmas fast approaching, many of us will be hoping to find some new tech under the tree.
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.
New tech can be particularly susceptible to opportunistic cybercriminals.
Following on from their Black Friday tips, cybersecurity experts at Keeper Security aim to raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding personal data and privacy as we navigate the festivities this year.
Avoid Default Passwords: 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 WiFI Network: Ensure your WiFi 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.
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.
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 practising 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.


This Cyber News was published on www.itsecurityguru.org. Publication date: Fri, 22 Dec 2023 10:44:55 +0000


Cyber News related to Ho Ho Home For Christmas? Tips For Avoiding Tech Terrors This Festive Season

Enhancing Home Privacy with Technology: Your Digital Shield - In an ever-evolving world, technology has become increasingly integral to home privacy. Smart lock systems, video doorbells, motion sensors, security cameras, and automated privacy settings are some of the popular home privacy tech options available. ...
11 months ago Securityzap.com
Ho Ho Home For Christmas? Tips For Avoiding Tech Terrors This Festive Season - With Christmas fast approaching, many of us will be hoping to find some new tech under the tree. From innovative gadgets that spark creativity to interactive devices that bring families together, tech toys can add an extra layer of excitement and ...
10 months ago Itsecurityguru.org
Most scammed items for this Christmas season - As the festive season is just a couple of days ahead, the joy of giving and receiving is accompanied by an unfortunate increase in scams targeting unsuspecting holiday shoppers. Scammers are adept at exploiting the spirit of generosity and the rush ...
10 months ago Cybersecurity-insiders.com
Smart Home Security Essentials: Protecting What Matters Most - Smart home security systems provide homeowners with the ability to keep their personal and property safe from intruders, theft, and other potential threats. This article will discuss different types of smart home security systems, benefits, setting ...
11 months ago Securityzap.com
Creating a Smart Home Ecosystem: Seamless Connectivity - Like a finely tuned symphony, creating a smart home ecosystem has the potential to bring harmony and convenience to everyday life. Establishing an interconnected network of digital devices to enable user-controlled automation of various household ...
11 months ago Securityzap.com
Energy-Efficient Home Automation: Saving the Planet and Your Wallet - Home automation solutions offer an array of benefits, from improved convenience to decreased energy bills. This article will explore the types of home automation systems available, as well as their cost and potential for energy efficiency. The ...
11 months ago Securityzap.com
Smart Home Technology: Your Gateway to Modern Living - Smart home technology offers homeowners an array of benefits, from increased convenience and comfort to enhanced safety and energy savings. Smart home technology offers convenience, comfort, safety, and energy savings. Smart home technology provides ...
11 months ago Securityzap.com
Home Security Cameras: Keeping an Eye on Your World - As technology advances, home security cameras have become a popular option for households seeking to increase their protection. This article will explore the various types of home security cameras available, the advantages they provide, and factors ...
11 months ago Securityzap.com
Home Automation for All: Enabling Independence - As technology advances, home automation provides a sense of empowerment for elderly and disabled individuals. Home automation for the elderly and disabled reduces dependence on others and promotes independence in the home environment. Home automation ...
11 months ago Securityzap.com
DIY Home Security System: Your Step-by-Step Setup - Recent studies have suggested that the installation of a home security system is one of the best ways to deter theft and property damage. This article will provide detailed instructions on how to plan, install, and maintain a DIY home security system ...
11 months ago Securityzap.com
Christmas scams: Attacks to be aware of this holiday season - Now, not only has the victim been charged for this fake item, but the cyber criminal now has access to all their credit card information. Now more than ever, Christmas shopping is done online - and, of course, cyber criminals are going to take ...
11 months ago Securityboulevard.com
Home AI Revolution: From Assistants to Smart Appliances - In a world where technology is advancing faster than ever, home AI has become an integral part of everyday life. Anachronistically speaking, a time-traveler from even just a few decades ago would be amazed at how far we've come in terms of home ...
11 months ago Securityzap.com
7 Steps to Build a Defense in Depth Strategy for Your Home - To have the best chance of preventing digital intruders' attacks, home networking equipment must be configured properly and updated regularly. Here are seven best practices for improving your home network security with a defense in depth strategy. ...
10 months ago Cyberdefensemagazine.com
Tax Season Alert: Common scams and cracked software - OpenText is committed to providing you with the latest intelligence and tips to safeguard your digital life, especially during high-risk periods like tax season. Our threat analysts are constantly monitor the ebb and flow of various threats. One ...
9 months ago Webroot.com
4 Tips for Safe and Secure Holiday Shopping - The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year for experienced and novice cybercriminals alike looking to make a quick payday. Although threat actors are relying on classic scams to trick unsuspecting consumers this season, you can take ...
11 months ago Feeds.fortinet.com
Wearable Tech Future: Where Fashion Meets Function - From fitness trackers and smartwatches to augmented reality glasses, the future of wearable tech is full of potential. In this article, we will explore the current benefits and challenges of wearable technology, uncover its different types and ...
11 months ago Securityzap.com
Holiday Threats Surge as Christmas-Themed Scams Explode - As the winter holidays approach, malicious spammers have ramped up their efforts, flooding inboxes with a surge of unsolicited emails and Christmas-themed scams, according to a Bitdefender report. Key findings indicated a steady rise in ...
10 months ago Securityboulevard.com
9 online scams to watch out for this holiday season - By being aware of these common online scams and taking precautions, you can protect yourself and your family from becoming victims this holiday season. The holiday season is upon us, and that means it's time to start shopping for gifts. It's not just ...
11 months ago Blog.avast.com
CISA: Travel cybersecurity tips - Summer is knocking on the door, and hundreds of millions of Americans are expected to hit the road in search of good times. A recent study conducted by The Vacationer confirmed that more than 212 million adults plan to travel this summer season. The ...
5 months ago Pandasecurity.com
Ransomware gang claims responsibility for Christmas attack on Massachusetts hospital - A ransomware gang has publicly said it was behind a Christmas day attack on a hospital serving parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. On Friday, the Money Message ransomware gang claimed it stole 600GB of information from Anna Jaques Hospital and ...
10 months ago Therecord.media
The SANS Holiday Hack Challenge is back! The Register - Review and manage your consent Here's an overview of our use of cookies, similar technologies and how to manage them. Webinar Whether you are considering a career in cyber security or you already work in the industry, the 2023 SANS Holiday Hack ...
11 months ago Go.theregister.com
Internationalizing Efforts to Counter Tech Support Scams - The Central Bureau of Investigation, India's federal enforcement agency, recently conducted a series of criminal raids against illegal call centers across the country in an attempt to clamp down on tech support fraud. These raids were the result of a ...
11 months ago Darkreading.com
CVE-2017-12757 - Certain Ambit Technologies Pvt. Ltd products are affected by: SQL Injection. This affects iTech B2B Script 4.42i and Tech Business Networking Script 8.26i and Tech Caregiver Script 2.71i and Tech Classifieds Script 7.41i and Tech Dating Script 3.40i ...
5 years ago
Tesla AI Robot Attacks raises concerns over Cybersecurity - Over the recent Christmas weekend, a thought-provoking discussion emerged among tech enthusiasts on Reddit, sparking concerns about the Tesla AI Robots designed for manufacturing. The conversation, initially initiated in November, gained momentum ...
10 months ago Cybersecurity-insiders.com
Avast researchers detect a surge in fake e-shops following holidays - We kick off the new year with expectations of sales, but beware: a dangerous wave of fake e-shops is spreading on the internet. As the festive season wraps up, a new challenge emerges for online shoppers: the rise of over 4,000 counterfeit e-shops. ...
10 months ago Blog.avast.com

Latest Cyber News


Cyber Trends (last 7 days)


Trending Cyber News (last 7 days)