Smart home devices can create cybersecurity risks. Here’s how to reduce them.

More household devices are connecting to the internet, including gadgets that don’t seem like they need Wi-Fi at all. That added convenience can come with a downside: poorly protected devices may give hackers a way into your home network.

Phones, tablets, computers and wearables are obvious examples of connected technology. But plenty of less noticeable devices—from kitchen appliances to light bulbs—also use your Wi-Fi. Together, they’re often called the internet of things, or IoT. If one device is compromised, it may give an attacker a foothold from which to target other devices on the network.

Some IoT products lack basic protections such as strong account authentication or encryption. Others don’t receive regular software updates. That can leave them vulnerable, even if the device seems harmless or isn’t used very often.

A compromised device could expose private footage from a home camera or audio picked up by a microphone. In some cases, an attacker might alter a connected appliance’s settings. A recent incident in Europe, for instance, involved hackers changing refrigerator temperatures and putting food at risk. An insecure device could also be used to reach other devices connected to the same network.

Connected products are everywhere, so it’s difficult to list them all. These are some common examples to check around the house.

Kitchen appliances

Many smart kitchen products are designed to make everyday tasks easier. Some refrigerators track the food inside and suggest meals or remind owners when supplies are running low. Smart ovens may use an internal camera to identify food and recommend cooking times and temperatures.

Other connected appliances include dishwashers that respond to voice commands, washers and dryers controlled through an app, and coffee makers that can be set to brew on a schedule. The convenience is real, but a device that’s accessed without permission could create problems. Depending on the appliance, those might include spoiled food, water damage or even a fire risk.

Home security

Indoor cameras, video doorbells and smart locks are meant to make a home safer. Still, they can also hold sensitive information or control access to the house.

If someone breaks into a camera system, they may be able to view or steal private footage. In some situations, that could lead to threats or blackmail. A compromised smart lock could be used to unlock a door—or prevent someone from leaving.

Lighting, cleaning, climate and comfort

Smart thermostats, lights and robot vacuums can save time and effort. They can also cause trouble if an attacker gains control. A thermostat might be set to an extreme temperature, while connected lights could be switched off or made to flicker. Some robot vacuums have cameras and microphones, which may collect video or audio inside the home.

Even devices that seem relatively harmless—such as air purifiers, electric toothbrushes and smart scales—could potentially provide a route into other devices on the network.

Smart accessories

It’s easy to overlook the smaller connected items around the house. Smart plugs, phone chargers, Bluetooth speakers, home hubs and display devices may all connect to a network and need to be considered when reviewing home security.

How to find connected devices

If you’re not sure what’s connected to your Wi-Fi, start with the apps you use. A household appliance or accessory that you control from a phone app is likely connected to your network, even if the app offers only a few features.

Your router’s companion app may also show a list of devices currently using the network. Checking that list can help you spot unfamiliar products or devices you no longer use. Some routers let you block a device from connecting.

Changing your Wi-Fi password is another option, though it can be inconvenient. It disconnects devices from the network, and each one needs to be set up again with the new password.

Steps you can take

When buying a connected device, choose a well-established manufacturer with a record of taking security seriously. The brand alone can’t guarantee a product is safe, but it’s worth considering how the company handles updates and account protection.

Install software updates when they’re available. It may help to set a monthly reminder to check the apps for your connected devices and router for updates.

If your router supports a guest network, consider putting IoT devices on it instead of your main home network. That separation may make it harder for a compromised gadget to reach computers and other devices containing personal information.

Check your router settings and turn off remote management if you don’t need it. This feature can allow settings to be changed over the internet, rather than only from inside your home.

Unplug devices you rarely use. Keeping them offline when they’re not needed reduces the time they’re exposed to possible attacks.

And if you decide the connected features aren’t worth the risk, you can disconnect a device from Wi-Fi and use it as a regular appliance instead. Some features may stop working, of course, but not every household gadget needs to be online.