Smart tech and home automation devices can help make your day a breeze. Smart devices like voice assistants can wake you up in the morning, prepare you for your commute, and give you the latest news. Smart thermostats can turn down your heating or cooling while you’re away. Smart lighting can be set to automatically turn off, helping you save on your energy bill. Smarter can equal safer with video doorbells that let you see who’s knocking even when you’re not at home. And outdoors, a smart garage door can open and close on your schedule, and be closed from anywhere if it’s left open.
When all of your devices speak to one another it creates efficiency and convenience. Making sure that your network and your smart devices are safe is key. There’s a lot to learn to keep your devices safe in your smart home. We’ve got smart tips for your smart tech.
Choose any password, other than the one it came with.
During setup, your device may ask you to create a new password. You’ll want to change any default passwords used to access the device or its settings. When choosing a password, make sure to create a strong one, something that’s easy to remember but complex enough to keep you secure.
Check out our guide to increasing your password strength for more ways to make it secure.
Choose which features you need.
There’s a lot to love about what smart devices can do for you. That said, you may want to take a moment to check through the settings for any features or access you might not personally need. For example, a Wi-Fi-enabled security camera can let you keep an eye on your house while you’re away, but you probably don’t need the baby monitor to be accessible outside of your home network.
When reviewing the configuration of your smart device, only make changes to settings you’re familiar with. Some changes to the default settings may have undesirable effects. Try and stick to the basics unless you absolutely need to change other settings.
If you have a Best Buy Totaltech™ membership, you’ve got support options for all the tech in your home — no matter where or when you bought it. That means help from a Geek Squad® Agent is just a call, click or visit away.
Strong Wi-Fi is the foundation of your smart home.
You should change any default passwords, update the firmware, and review the network settings. Our Networking Basics page has more information to help you understand how it all comes together.
You can also use the Best Buy Home app (download for iOS or Android) to scan your network from your phone and test your Wi-Fi download speed.
If you have a router that’s been around for more than four or five years, now may be a good time to consider an upgrade. Newer routers will often include performance and security enhancements to keep your growing collection of devices connected while still allowing you to stream your favorite movies uninterrupted.
Considering a Wi-Fi upgrade but not sure what will work best for your home? Check out our free smart home consultation with an expert In-Home Advisor who will show you what’s possible from the comfort of your home.
Don’t let tech stress stop you. We’ve got you covered.
Best Buy has experts ready to help. We’re here to set up the tech in your smart home and secure your devices, creating the experience that fits your lifestyle.
If you are not sure where to start, our In-Home Advisors can come to your home and help you build the perfect smart home solution.* Our Advisors will meet with you to determine what devices and services can help you achieve your smart home dreams. And it’s free!
When you are ready to get that smart tech up and running, Geek Squad Agents are standing by to help. From doorbells to security cameras, with a Best Buy Totaltech™ membership, you'll pay only $49.99 for each smart home install. Membership includes 24/7 support for your tech — in store, in your home, over the phone and online — no matter where or when you bought it. We’re here to help.
Gadgets work best when they’re updated.
While many devices update their firmware automatically, it’s a good idea to use their control app or internal web server to manually check that they’re good to go. Your product manual or manufacturer’s support page will have instructions specific to each device.