Page 3 - August 2021 Isle of Palms Magazine (1)_Neat

Buyers and Sellers

Guide to Securing a Smart Home

When a home filled with smart devices changes hands, it can create

security risks for sellers and buyers. To help protect yourself, consider the
following steps.

Sellers Buyers

Make a list of all smart devices that Ask sellers for manuals and

will stay after the sale, including locks, manufacturer contact information for
lighting, thermostats, alarms, streaming all smart devices.

video players, modems and Wi-Fi
repeaters.

Notify manufacturers of change of

ownership and provide new contact
Immediately before closing, reset all information so they can
devices to factory defaults to wipe away send you updates and security

email addresses, credit card numbers patches.
and other personal data.

Update all devices to the latest
security software and firmware.
If a device is tied to a personal email,

create a free, generic email address
(ex. 101YOURSTREET@gmail.com)

and connect the device to that. Change passwords and user
names of the devices.

At closing, pass the generic email

address and other smart home codes to Change access codes for door
buyers. locks, gates and garage door
openers.

Sources: ONLINE TRUST ALLIANCE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS