How hackable are the smart devices in your home? We reveal the most vulnerable rooms
- Jun 14
- 7 min read
How vulnerable are the smart devices in your home? Discover the most susceptible rooms
Explore our comprehensive list of smart home devices and assess which rooms in your home are most at risk of being compromised.
Over the past decade, the number of smart devices we use has increased dramatically. From doorbells to dumbbells, almost every product on the market has sought ways to become “smarter.” But how can you safeguard yourself against hackable smart home devices?
Smart devices connect to the internet via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, offering the implicit promise of making our lives easier or more convenient. With the rise of smart speakers, their integrated assistants, and whole-home hubs, our homes can now be interconnected through every room, whether it’s the garage, kitchen, bedroom, or basement.
Building a smart home can be an impressive achievement, but like any technology, there are potential risks involved. Having so much of our daily lives connected to the internet can compromise the inherent privacy of a home.
Any device connected to the internet can be hacked, including your smart TV, home hub, and even your Wi-Fi router. However, there's no need to fear the future. Instead, understand the risks so you can build a strong defense. Just as you lock your car doors at night, you can safely enjoy all things "smart" by implementing a few simple security measures.
Smart Home Room by Room
Here is a comprehensive list of hackable smart home devices that might be in your home. Keep in mind that as new devices are developed, this list will likely grow over time.
We've organized this catalog by rooms that contain the most hackable smart home devices versus rooms with devices that are less likely to be hacked. For instance, while a security camera might be a tempting target for a hacker, it's unlikely anyone would want to hack your smart scale or smart water-level monitor.
Most Hackable Smart Home Devices in the Most Vulnerable Rooms
The most vulnerable rooms in your home are those with smart devices that control other gadgets. For example, if your smart speaker can disable your alarm system or make online purchases, it becomes an attractive entry point for hackers. Here are the top seven rooms to check for security gaps and how to address them.
1. Foyer or Front Entry
Smart doorbell, such as the Ring Video Doorbell 2, Google Nest Hello, or eufy Video Doorbell
Home security system, such as ADT, SimpliSafe, or Vivint
Smart lock, such as the Google Nest x Yale Lock or August Smart Lock Pro
Although the Ring Doorbell was previously recommended by Wirecutter as “the best doorbell camera for 2019,” compromised login details led the tech site to suspend their recommendation. Our advice? Use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication for any smart doorbell devices.
Two-factor authentication requires a second level of verification, such as a numerical code or fingerprint, after your initial login.
Worried about hackers accessing your video feed to spy on you? Reduce your risks by regularly updating your camera’s firmware. Large security companies like ADT frequently release updates to fix known bugs, and these can significantly enhance your safety. But they can’t protect you unless you click Install now.
For smart locks, ensure you purchase from a reputable source that uses high encryption levels. If you expect visitors when you're not home, like your kids’ friends or a pet sitter, provide them with a temporary “friend code” for your smart lock that you can easily reset later.
2. Home Office
Computer or laptop
Modem and router
Smart printer, including all-in-one copiers and scanners
Your home office is one of the most obvious vulnerabilities in a Wi-Fi-connected home. The good news? Since the office is a clear area of interest, most people remain vigilant around these devices. Additionally, many companies integrate extra security measures into devices like computers and gateways.
However, don't let advanced devices give you a false sense of security. You still need to add extra layers of security to your router, such as a strong password and a separate guest Wi-Fi login. Also, ensure you know how to avoid phishing scams to prevent inadvertently inviting an intruder in.
Kids’ tablets
Smart baby monitor
Smart soother, such as the Fisher-Price Smart Connect Deluxe Soother
Smart devices intended for use by or around children must be highly secure. In a widely reported incident, an unknown man managed to verbally harass an 8-year-old girl by hacking into the Ring camera in her playroom. This suggests reconsidering where you place devices that record video and audio.
How vulnerable are the smart devices in your home? Discover the most susceptible rooms
Tablets for kids were extremely popular in 202024 and are excellent for allowing your child to learn within set boundaries. Configure your child’s tablet so you must approve any downloads. Watch for any suspicious activity, like unfamiliar apps or unexpected pop-ups, as these may indicate a security breach. If you suspect your child's tablet has been hacked, verify that your credit information remains secure.
6. Kitchen
Smart oven
Smart coffee maker
Smart slow cooker or instant pot, such as the Instant Pot Smart Wi-Fi Multi-Cooker
Smart hub, such as the Echo Show 5
Smart refrigerator, such as Samsung’s Family Hub Smart Refrigerator
Although most kitchen devices are unlikely targets for hackers, some exceptions include smart refrigerators, Echo Show, or any similar device functioning as a hub. Hubs are appealing targets because they can provide access to your security system, potentially compromising your home’s defenses.
However, don't underestimate seemingly harmless smart devices. Less sophisticated smart gadgets can also be attractive to hackers. In a McAfee Labs experiment, a reporter managed to hack a smart coffee maker, though the only disruption caused was changing the machine's scheduled brew time.
7. Smart home devices in your garage
Smart car
Smart floodlights
Smart garage door controller
With a smart garage door controller, you can monitor your garage with video and audio, grant temporary access for deliveries, and know if the door is open or closed when you're away. We highly recommend using two-factor authentication for this type of device and setting a strong password.
Least vulnerable devices in rooms in your smart home
These nine connected rooms are considered less susceptible to hacking. Most smart devices in these rooms are designed to enhance convenience or track data, with a few exceptions noted below.
Remember, as with the coffee maker example, the app controlling the device can be a vulnerability. Be cautious with apps that require your address, credit card information, or other personal data.
1. Dining room
Smart fan, such as the Morpheus III
Smart shades, such as Somfy Smart Blinds
Smart indoor camera such as the Google Nest Cam IQ
2. Laundry or storage room
Smart washer and dryer
Smart air quality monitor, such as the Awair Air Quality Monitor
Smart air freshener, humidifier or air purifier
3. Sunroom, patio or pool
Smart pet door
Smart smoker, such as the Bradley Smart Smoker
Smart water controller
Smart water level monitor for pool
Smart pool alarm, such as the Poolguard, designed to detect intrusions similar to a 1-year-old child
While a smart pet door might seem risky, most are intended for small pets, making it impossible for a human to enter. A larger custom-sized pet door, however, might pose a greater hacking risk.
4. Guest room
More smart lights
Another smart TV
Another smart speaker
If your guest room contains versions of more vulnerable devices, turn them off when not in use to prevent issues.
Ensure devices are completely turned off, not just in hibernation or sleep mode, or unplug them from outlets to be certain.
5. Game room or bonus room
Smart headphones
Gaming systems, such as the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5
Smart projector or home theater, such as the KODAK LUMA 350
Smart light hub, such as the Philips Hue Bridge, which can control up to 50 smart lights in your home
Another smart TV
6. Bathroom
Smart scale
Smart speaker showerhead
Smart toothbrush, such as the Oral-B 7000 SmartSeries
While it's unlikely anyone would want to hack your toothbrush or scale, the most data they could access would be your brushing frequency and BMI. Ensure apps collecting your data have privacy settings enabled, are password-protected, and don’t contain personal information.
7. Home gym
Smart dumbbells, such as the Bowflex SelectTech 560 set that can count your reps and sets and track your weight
Smart exercise equipment, including the Peloton bike or the Tonal home gym
Smart mirror
A smart mirror is essentially a monitor or smart TV that can be disguised as a mirror when not in use. Like a smart refrigerator, a smart mirror can function as a hub and includes a camera and microphone, making it a higher security risk than other devices on this list.
8. Basement
Smart water leak sensor, such as the Wasserstein Wi-Fi Water Sensor
Smart electricity monitor, such as the Sense Energy Monitor that will let you know when someone leaves the lights on … again
9. Attic
Smart exhaust fan, such as the iLIVING Smart Solar Attic Exhaust Fan
Smart mouse trap, such as the Victor Smart-Kill Wi-Fi Electronic Rat Trap, which sends an alert to your cellphone when the deed is done
Start smart when protecting your home
Ultimately, the device you should prioritize protecting is your Wi-Fi router. If a hacker breaches your network, they can potentially access any connected device in your home.
Alongside your router, other highly hackable smart home devices to monitor include smart door locks, home hubs, and security cameras. Manage these devices securely by regularly changing passwords (every 90 days is recommended), setting up two-factor authentication, updating software, and being cautious about the websites you visit and whom you share your smart home details with.
Does your dream home respond to your every voice command? Check out our Resource Center to discover more ways to enhance your smart home.
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