If you scroll through any news website at any given time, there’s a good chance you’ll read a story about hacking. Someone gained unauthorized access to a computer network and managed to cause a lot of trouble for the people in charge of it. In 2019, you have to stay vigilant to protect yourself and your La Jolla, CA network installation from hackers, bots, and other bad things that can pop up on the internet. And if you have a smart home, you should remain extra vigilant. Of course, staying safe isn’t hard. It just requires some preparation. In this blog, we’ll show you how to stay safe and keep your smart home running smoothly

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Firewall

The first line of defense for your internet-based devices is the firewall. It’s designed to catch anything deemed unsafe or inappropriate to prevent your system from catching a virus. If you consider your network to be like a castle, the firewall will block most of the invading armies. Unfortunately, just like a real castle wall, it can’t stand against everything. Sometimes, these “Trojan Horse” viruses and malware can sneak past. However, a firewall is still an essential element of internet safety.

Anti-Virus Software

Despite its name, anti-virus software has evolved to fight more than just viruses. You can count on it to effectively identify and quarantine malware, spyware, adware, and more to keep your network safe from harm.

Quarantine is the primary function of anti-virus software. A virus is a self-replicating program that can clog up your network and potentially give hackers access to your information. Robust and up-to-date anti-virus software will help minimize the damage if anything gets through the firewall.

VPN

A virtual private network is an online network of two or more computers or devices that allows them to share information privately. It’s often used for business applications. However, in a residential system, it can help create an extra step for potential hackers or bots to have to jump through. After all, password protections are still effective ways to keep hackers out, so it helps to minimize the access they can have to your system.

Guest Networks

Contemporary modems also often allow users to set up guest networks. When your friends are over, give them access to the guest network. This will help prevent anything that may be harming their devices from affecting yours.

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