smartthings – PSafe Blog

Everything You Should Know About the Safety of Smart Locks

PSafe Newsroom — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 11:49:58 +0000

Smart technology has taken over our lives. From making our coffee in the morning to controlling the temperature of our home, we trust a variety of smart objects to complete tasks for us. Unfortunately, the abundance of this smart technology also contributes to its lack of security. We’re so focused on how a smart lock, for example, can make our home more secure against intruders that we may ignore the fact that it’s a device that can easily be hacked. Odds are, if you have a smart lock — or are interested in purchasing one — then security is a top concern for you. It’s time then to get informed about potential security risks with smart locks. After all, a smart lock system might set you back a few hundred dollars — and it might not be worth it.

Unencrypted Passwords
One of the biggest risks with some smart locks is an unencrypted password. Certain models from Quicklock, for example, store the lock’s password in plain text. This is the easiest way for a hacker to gain access to your lock — and your home. Further, there are many locks that have this issue. This seems like a big oversight. If you still want to invest in a smart lock after this, make sure you do your research on what specific models have to offer.

Lack of Updates
While this can be an issue with many Android devices, it’s an even bigger issue with smart locks. Smart locks are designed to be “secure.” But how can they truly be secure against cyberthreats without frequent security updates or bug fixes?

Hacking Opportunities
There are many ways that a hacker can gain access to your home through your smart lock. One way a hacker could take control of your lock involves you unlocking your door. A hacker could essentially “copy” the information sent to unlock the door, and then “replay” it to gain access to the lock. DEF CON 2016 showed that, with little money spent, a hacker could gain access to more than 75% of the smart locks currently available. Many Bluetooth locks from Kwikset and August (among others) were the safest to use.

The Conclusion
Smart locks don’t offer all that much more than a regular lock. The technology is cool, but there are still a lot of improvements that need to be made to the current selection. Even though a smart lock might help to protect your home from old-fashioned lock picking, many smart locks are still capable of being dismantled — in addition to all of the ways they can be hacked.

Connect All of Your Home’s Smart Appliances

PSafe Newsroom — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 21:00:03 +0000

Smart appliances should make your life easier — not harder. Although they are becoming increasingly common, it can still be difficult to connect all of your smart appliances on one device. But there are several devices currently available that attempt this feat. The following devices will allow you to connect your smart appliances on one device so that you can control and monitor your home effortlessly.

Samsung SmartThings Hub
SmartThings works with a variety of devices from different brands, which means it is one of the best smart hubs on the market. This device is available for about $75-$100 on Amazon. It offers a way to connect all of your smart appliances to one device, and control and monitor your home remotely through the free SmartThings app. The SmartThings hub can control devices like your smart lighting, locks, thermostat, and security cameras. Receive notifications on the status of your smart home, and set preferences for how you want your smart appliances to behave when you’re asleep or away from the home. You can even combine the SmartThings hub with Amazon Echo to control your smart home through voice commands. This feature, combined with all of the previously mentioned features, makes this smart hub one of the best smart hubs available now.

The Wink Hub
This smart hub is available for less than $70 from Amazon (or $90 from other sellers). This hub works with a variety of different connectivity options and devices from different brands. Like the SmartThings hub, you’ll control Wink through the Wink app. The app and hub essentially allow your smart devices to communicate with one another, so that you can control them all on one platform. Program your lights and A/C to turn on whenever you unlock your front door, for example.

The VeraEdge Hub
Another option for under $100, this smart hub will connect a variety of brands, and even other brand-specific smart hubs (like Nest). It can control hundreds of devices wirelessly. Create preferences for how your device should control your home when you’re at home or on vacation. Download the app to control your smart home from your phone, or even from your PC. For $50 more you can get the VeraPlus model, which allows you to more fully manage your home while you’re away. You can check in on your pets, receive alerts any time someone is in your home, and monitor your home while you’re away for possible flood damage from a storm.

How Your Smart TV is Becoming More Intelligent

PSafe Newsroom — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 20:00:59 +0000

When we think of smart TVs, we think of crisp HD picture quality and access to all of our favorite video or music streaming apps. But the newest smart TVs on the market have a lot more to offer than movies and music.

Seemingly Endless Applications
Many new smart TVs, like the Android TV, include access to a variety of gaming apps. Your smart TV can recognize your phone as a type of game controller. Remember your game progress on another device so that you can continue it on your TV. Your smart TV may also allow you to browse the web and offer a variety of other apps like fitness, social media, news, weather, maps, and photo apps. In the future, even more streaming channels, such as those that offer new content from some of your favorite websites, will be available.

Built-in Cameras and Other Features
Many smart TVs include built-in cameras, or else the option to add a camera to your TV. This can be used for gaming purposes, or else to access video-calling apps on your TV. Many smart TVs also allow you to search for a TV show or application with your voice, which can be a lot easier than typing. There’s also the ability for 3D display, meaning that you can watch some of your favorite 3D movies, like Avatar. You can also record your favorite live TV shows without an additional device.

The Risks of Owning a Smarter TV
Just like your other devices, your smart TV can also be hacked. In addition to gaining access to your TV through its Wi-Fi connection, hackers can also spy on you through your TV’s camera or microphone. Unlike your phone or computer, which can be more easily protected against security threats, your TV is more vulnerable. This means that it’s a good idea to avoid online shopping on your TV. Some measures to protect your TV against security threats include avoiding suspicious looking apps and staying up-to-date on your TV’s software.

In addition, if you’re worried about companies spying on your web browsing habits on your computer or phone, then you should know that they’re also spying on your TV habits. TV manufacturers often collect information on what apps you use and what you’re watching, usually for advertising purposes. They can use this information to send targeted ads to any device connected to your Wi-Fi. However, there are often ways to control this through your TV’s privacy settings.

Check out These Smart Items You Didn’t Know Existed

PSafe Newsroom — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 21:11:12 +0000

“Smart items” is an all-encompassing term that includes any service provided by Samsung’s SmartThings. This gadget has the ability to complete standard household chores for you if they slip your mind. All you need is the SmartThings hub and the application to get started with your smart items.

How SmartThings Can Save Your Home
Leaky sinks? High electricity bills? SmartThings can provide aid to any appliance around your house.

Lights

Your lights can be controlled from far away (even from another country) if you have a SmartThings outlet hooked up to them.
You can program your lamps to slowly brighten as you wake up.
You also have the ability to program lights to turn off if they have been left on for longer than necessary.

Home Security

Do you have a mischievous kid at home? Your phone will alert you if your kid is sneaking away past curfew.
If an unexpected intruder invades your house while you are not home, you can program your stereos to play the sound of loud barking dogs.
There is also a siren that can ring obnoxiously loudly if there is an unexpected entry through your door.

Pets

Does your pet suffer from wanderlust? If so, SmartThings can provide the perfect remedy. Your pet will send you a notification whenever it leaves the house so you can make sure your furry friend doesn’t run away.
Sadly, your pet can’t always properly communicate to you whenever they’re hungry. SmartThings can alert you when it is time to feed your pets.

Convenience

You can pretty much get SmartThings to react to everything you do in your daily routine.
You can program your tea kettle or coffee maker to heat up for you whenever you get home for work.
Everyone has lost their keys at some point in their life. Luckily, the SmartThings app can unlock your door every time you approach it, so you won’t have to bother fondling for your keys.
No need to queue up your stereo whenever you get home from work. Automatically set your SmartThings app to start playing your favorite jams whenever you step in the door.

Want to learn more about cool Android Apps? Visit the PSafe blog!