You thought the only struggle with your streaming service might be fighting with family members over bandwidth and access, but unfortunately, hackers can also be a part of the equation if you’re not careful.
Can a hacker get into my computer through a streaming box? I don’t care if they get into the box, but I don’t want them in my network. – Art, Bradenton, FL
Art, your concerns are valid. It isn’t the streaming box itself being hacked that should be your biggest concern. Yes, hackers can ‘get into’ your streaming box but worse, your network.
How do hackers exploit your streaming devices and more?
The bad news is that your streaming box can be hacked like most devices that are linked up to the internet. There are limits to the damage they can do with that access. Their damage would be limited by the mechanics of the streaming box: for instance, if your Roku has no camera but a microphone, they can listen to your conversation, but they won’t be able to watch you. They may have access to what you’ve been watching or some account information.
Credit: Google
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Someone else is controlling my Roku
- Remotes & devices
- Guest Mode
- System,
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10 ways to protect and secure your network
Since prevention is the best approach to keeping hackers out of your network in the first place, below are several actions you can take to ramp up security.
1) Create a strong password: Make sure your WiFi network is password-protected and that you are using a strong password with upper and lower case letters, numbers, as well as symbols. It should be unique for the network and not easy to guess. Hackers often exploit the weak or default passwords that come with the devices. So, again use strong and unique passwords for each device and change them regularly. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.
2) Turn on encryption:Most modern routers offer WPA2 and WPA 3 encryption or better to prevent unauthorized access to your network. Check out our list of top routers for best security 2024 by clicking here.
3) Update your firmware and software: WiFi and cable routers, like most smart devices, need to have their firmware occasionally updated in response to known attacks by the manufacturer. It’s important to keep your device firmware & software updated to prevent any exploitation from known vulnerabilities. This includes your streaming boxes, browsers, and operating systems such as Windows and Apple’s iOS. Both Apple and Android issue updates regularly, so check for and install them often. Also, check the manufacturer’s website or app for the latest firmware versions and how to install them, but you should also enable automatic updates whenever possible.
4) Use a Firewall: A firewall protects the devices you have connected to your network from intruders on the internet. Just like a security fence protects your house from intruders, a firewall keeps cybercriminals and hackers from breaching your computer. It can take the form of software, such as a security program, or hardware, such as a router. Both perform the same function. They effectively act as a one-way digital barrier by blocking access to your network from devices on the internet while simultaneously allowing devices on your network to connect to devices on the internet.
To check if your router has a firewall enabled, you can follow these steps:
- Connect your computer to your router using an Ethernet cable or WiFi.
- Open a web browser and type the IP address of your router in the address bar. You can find the IP address on the label of your router or in the user manual. It is usually something like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
- Enter the username and password to log in to your router’s web interface. The default username and password are often admin and admin, but you should change those if you haven’t done so yet.
- Look for a section called Firewall, Security, or Advanced in the web interface. There you can see if your router has a firewall enabled or disabled. You can also change the firewall settings according to your preferences.
If your router doesn’t have a firewall, you can install a good home firewall solution on your system to prevent router attacks.
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5) Be careful of downloading apps: Because malicious codes can be gained through apps from third-party sources, it is important to only download apps through authorized places such as the Apple Store or Google Play. Even when downloading from those authorized sources, check the ratings and read the reviews to make sure that apps are reputable.
6) Install strong antivirus software: Having good antivirus running on your devices will alert you of any malware in your system and alert you against clicking on any malicious links that may install malware on your devices, allowing hackers to gain access to your personal information.
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7) Use a VPN: (virtual private network) to encrypt your internet traffic and hide your online activity from hackers. A VPN creates a secure tunnel between your device and the internet, preventing hackers from intercepting or modifying your data. You can use a VPN on your streaming devices, your router, your smartphone, or your computer.
8) Segment your network: By creating a separate network or a guest network for your streaming devices. This way, even if your streaming devices are compromised, hackers won’t be able to access your other devices that contain sensitive or personal information. You can segment your network using your router’s settings or a third-party app.
9) Disable remote access: Turn off remote access to your streaming devices and your router. Remote access allows you to control your devices from anywhere, but it also exposes them to hackers who can exploit the open ports and protocols. Unless you need remote access, turn it off in the settings of your devices and your router.
10) Turn it off: While it is easier to keep all your devices on, you can limit their time connected to the network or access to hacking by turning off your streaming device when it is not in use.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
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