Setting a smart device

Setting your device to ensure that it is privacy-friendly

Do you want to set your smart device to ensure that it is privacy-friendly? Pay attention to the following points then:

• your login details;
• the way in which you log in;
• the privacy settings of your account;
• the (correct) adjustment of your device.

Change your password and user name immediately

Changing your password and your user name (if possible) is one of the most important steps in securing (new) equipment. Never continue using a password set by the manufacturer.

Choose a long password or a passphrase that combines several types of characters. You can also use a password manager for creating new strong passwords and managing your passwords.

Use multifactor authentication

Often, you log in with a user name and a password only. But does the device or platform offer multifactor authentication? Then it is advisable to use this. Especially if the device registers sensitive data of you. With multifactor authentication, your device is better protected against unauthorised access.

Check your privacy settings

Many manufacturers use an (online) account or app using which you can change settings. Take your time to go through these settings and set the privacy settings correctly.

Adjust the device

Devices can also collect data of and about persons other than you yourself. For example, state-of-the-art microphones that are linked to speech recognition systems or camera doorbells. Adjust your device in such a way that it does not infringe the privacy of others. When using cameras, take the privacy rules for camera surveillance into consideration.

Securing your router

Your router is the access gate of your devices to the Internet. The standard settings of your router can make you, as a user of a device, vulnerable to digital intruders or leaking of your data.

Make sure, therefore, that you have a strong password on your router or WiFi network. Also adjust the settings of your router, to make them match your personal situation. Do you, for example, not need access to your router or network outside (close to) your house? Then disable that option. To ensure that no one else has access from outside.

Regularly updating your device

The safety of smart devices also depends on the software on your device and the software that controls the device. Make sure, therefore, that you always have installed the latest software, to ensure that any known vulnerabilities can be fixed in time.

Are no automatic updates available? Then check the website of the manufacturer to see if you have the latest version. After an update, check the settings of the device. In this way, you can be sure that privacy-friendly settings have not been overwritten by the update.

Note: is the software very outdated and are no updates available anymore? Then this may become a security risk for your data. Consider replacing your device and the associated software.

In the case of replacement

Do you replace the device? Or no longer use it? In that case, remove the data on it. You do this by resetting the device to the factory settings. Or by erasing your data manually. Also remove memory cards or storage disks, if any.