Read this BEFORE buying these toys

IoT devices (smart appliances, light bulbs, sensors, and the like) are turning up more and more even with people who aren't the biggest tech fans.

IoT devices (smart appliances, light bulbs, sensors, and the like) are turning up more and more even with people who aren't the biggest tech fans. They're working their way into ordinary lives, and those people often don't know how to stay safe — or that these devices can pose cybersecurity issues at all. So in this article I'll give you a quick guide on how to stay protected and what to avoid when buying.

I've already bought some, and now I'm worried!

No need to panic, but you do need to check a few things. Reset the password on every device, because the factory defaults are the same on every unit — all anyone has to do to connect is open the manual, which is far from ideal. Then, if it's an option, turn on encrypted communication. Not every device supports this, but if yours does, definitely use it. Otherwise anyone who taps into the traffic can read it in clear text.

I'm planning to buy, but I don't know what!?

If you have the budget and want to set up a smart home, definitely go for a centralized system — meaning one central server with devices that talk to it. The catch is that if the server dies you're in trouble, but otherwise everything stays inside your network (apart from the connection itself), and your data stays with you. If you're not planning a Matrix-style household and just want to control a light bulb from your phone, be very careful about who you buy from. These devices talk to the manufacturer's servers from your Wi-Fi network — which, if you're shopping AliExpress, is theoretically a problem. Does that mean buying from big brands keeps you safe? No, but the chances of someone catching them at any funny business are higher.