How to Protect Your Family’s Devices
Did you know that because the phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and even video game consoles belonging to your family members are all connected to the internet, they’re potential risks?
Luckily, there are some simple practices that can help keep your devices safe and your personal information secure.
Thankfully, there’s no need for you to become a tech whiz to do so. Making small changes, such as updating your devices, using good passwords, and being aware online, can all help. Here’s where to start.
Start With Your Home Wi-Fi
Your home Wi-Fi connects most of your family’s devices to the internet, so it’s a good place to start.
If you haven’t changed your router’s default name and password, take a few minutes to do that. Use a password that’s difficult to guess and avoid personal details such as your name or address.
Another important thing is to ensure that your router software is updated to the latest version. This is something that you can easily do since many routers allow automatic update installation. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reminds us that this helps protect your devices.
It’s also worth checking which devices are connected to your network from time to time. If you see an old phone, unused smart device, or something you don’t recognize, disconnect anything you no longer need.
Keep Every Device Updated
Updates can be easy to ignore, especially when you’re busy. Your phone asks you to update, you tap “later,” and suddenly you’ve been doing that for three weeks (or maybe that’s just me!)!
It’s best to allow automatic updates on your devices as much as possible, because updates often fix security flaws, making it more difficult for attackers to exploit known vulnerabilities.
This applies to the whole family. Check phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, streaming devices, and game consoles. If a device is connected to the internet, it shouldn’t be forgotten just because you rarely use it.
The caveat to updates is that, as your device gets older, it may not be able to handle the update. Before blindly updating, check the update page to see if your device is listed as one that will be able to handle it.
Use Strong, Separate Passwords
One of the easiest mistakes you can make is using the same password for everything; it might seem like the easier choice, but it can cause huge problems if a single account is compromised.
Instead, give all your and your family’s accounts their own passwords. They should be long and difficult to guess, and you don’t need to memorize every single one yourself – a password manager can create and store unique passwords for you.
You can also find a free, printable Password Mini-Book in the Tech section of the Freebies Library!
Make this a family habit, too. Kids should know that passwords should never be shared with friends, even if they trust them. As they get older, you can also teach them why using different passwords for different accounts matters.
Add Another Layer of Protection
A strong password is useful, but it shouldn’t be your only line of defense. If an account supports two-factor authentication, turn it on.
With two-factor authentication, logging in requires something beyond the password, such as a verification code or an authentication app. This gives your accounts an extra layer of protection if someone gets hold of your password.
Think about the accounts your family uses most often, especially email, banking, shopping, and social media accounts. Your email deserves particular attention, because it can often be used to reset passwords for other services.
Protect Devices Used for Entertainment
Not every family device is used just for work or school. Smart TVs, streaming boxes, and game consoles also connect to the internet, so they deserve some attention.
Keep these devices updated and review their privacy settings from time to time. You should also remove apps and accounts you no longer use. A VPN on Apple TV can help protect your privacy when your family is streaming, browsing, or using other internet-connected apps.
The same idea applies to smart speakers, cameras, thermostats, and other connected gadgets. The more devices you have connected, the more important it is to know what’s on your network and keep everything current.
Teach Kids to Spot Online Tricks
Protecting family devices isn’t only about settings and software, though – your family’s everyday habits matter too.
Talk to kids about suspicious links, unexpected messages, fake giveaways, and downloads from unfamiliar websites. A message that says they’ve won something or urgently needs them to log in can be tempting or frightening, but clicking without checking first can put an entire account or device at risk.
The FTC recommends teaching children not to open unexpected links or attachments and encouraging them to use reputable sources when downloading apps, games, or other content.
You can also use parental controls where appropriate. These tools can help manage what children can access and, in some cases, prevent unwanted purchases.
Back Up What You Can’t Replace
Back up important family photos, documents, and schoolwork so you don’t lose them if a device is damaged, lost, or affected by malware. With regular updates, strong passwords, secure Wi-Fi, and a little caution online, you can help keep your family’s devices safer.
