Cyber attacks are no longer just a threat to department stores, but are now capable of infiltrating cooling systems, heaters, cameras and electronic locks inside homes. The attacks that targeted the refrigeration systems in a number of stores in some European countries, and caused the spoilage of large quantities of food and the emergence of fire risks, raised questions about the extent of citizens’ preparedness to protect themselves and their homes in the event that their smart devices were hacked, or electricity and the Internet were cut off, or supply chains were disrupted.
The answer does not require living in fear, but rather requires digital awareness, organized home preparedness, and a practical plan to deal with emergencies.
Can hackers hack your home appliances?
Modern or smart homes now include dozens of devices connected to the Internet, such as surveillance cameras, smart refrigerators, heating and air conditioning devices, electronic locks, and solar energy systems. Despite the convenience and ease of control these technologies provide, they remain an easy target for electronic attacks, especially when they use default passwords, old programs, or unprotected communications.
The German Federal Office for Information Security points out the importance of securing routers and protecting communication interfaces and network management, while the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity warned of the dangers of unsafe default settings and known passwords on some home routers.
For its part, the British National Center for Cyber Security recommends changing default passwords, activating two-factor authentication, installing security updates, and disabling remote access when it is not needed.
To reduce these risks, we must begin by securing the router, as the main gateway for connecting home devices to the Internet, by using strong and unique passwords, activating the latest encryption standards, and constantly updating its software, in addition to separating smart devices from the network of personal computers and phones, in a way that reduces the possibility of hacking being transmitted from one device to another, so that hacking a surveillance camera or smart bulb does not expose the rest of the devices to danger.
The physical aspect of security should also not be overlooked: smart locks should retain the ability to open manually, and heating and cooling systems should not rely entirely on an Internet connection.
Food and water stocks...the first line of defense in emergencies
Incidents of refrigeration system malfunctions in European stores revealed the importance of home food preparation, if such malfunctions occur repeatedly, or if electricity is cut off for several days. The German Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disasters has advised preparing a stock that will suffice a family for up to ten days, emphasizing that preparing for three days is better than not preparing at all.
The proposed stock includes drinking water, canned foods such as beans, chickpeas, tuna, vegetables and fruits, in addition to rice, pasta, oats, nuts, dried fruits and long-life milk. It is necessary to choose foods that the family already consumes, so that stocks can be rotated and the oldest used before they expire.
As for water, the German guide recommends providing about two liters per person per day for ten days, that is, twenty liters per person, taking into account the additional needs of children and health conditions. Foodstuffs must be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place, away from sun and moisture, with expiration dates and package integrity checked periodically.
