Can You Secure IoT Devices With A VPN And Antivirus?

Securing your home or work network is important. It helps prevent the loss or theft of data by protecting all devices that connect to the network. This is easy if you have a single device that connects, but in the modern world, this is rarely the case.

Most of us have cell phones, game consoles, and computers, and an increasingly large number of us also have devices like smart speakers, smart TVs, cameras, and other Internet of Things or smart home devices. These devices can make life easier and more enjoyable, but they don’t have the same cyber security protection.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can defend your entire home network including smart devices., and are especially effective when combined with other cyber security software.

What Are VPNs?

VPNs act as tunnels between the device or system they’re installed on and the Internet. The best VPNs can be installed on a home router and then, whenever devices connect to the Internet, all data is sent via the private server being used. Data is encrypted before being transmitted and obscured so it can’t be seen by third parties.  

As an added bonus they can, according to software reviews expert Aleksander Stevanovic, help bypass geo-restricted barriers, enabling users to watch extra content on streaming services or play games hosted on overseas servers.

IoT Security

According to cyber security professionals, the s in IoT stands for security. Devices like cameras connect to cloud storage or other Internet-based services, and because the two devices trust one another, they freely relay data to one another.

Not only does this make it easy for hackers or malware to intercept communication between the two parties, but it can also provide an unsecured back door into a home network. Very few IoT devices have any security installed, and it is virtually impossible to install antivirus or other software directly onto the devices.

Some use bridges, which can be more secure, but even these prevent users from updating or managing their own security. A more secure solution is to install a VPN on a home router, along with antivirus software, and then connect the IoT devices through the router.

They enjoy the same high level of security offered by the combination of VPN and antivirus software as any other device on the network. While it is also possible to install a VPN on a single workstation and then effectively use this workstation as a bridge for IoT devices, this can be cumbersome and may not offer the level of protection required.

What Do You Need?

To benefit from IoT VPN security, you need a VPN router, which is a router that already has VPN software installed. Alternatively, you can opt for a VPN-compatible router that enables you to install your own choice of VPN software.

This method typically affords you the greatest flexibility when it comes to determining network and other security settings.  But, not all routers are VPN compatible so you will need to check the packaging, and instructions, or speak with the manufacturer and ask.

You will also need a VPN that is compatible with use on routers. Again, this isn’t true of all options – you need to specifically look for a router VPN or choose the router option when deciding on the VPN package you buy.

Router VPNs can be a little more expensive, but because you only have to install a single instance of the VPN on a single device, to enjoy protection for all the devices in your home, you don’t have to worry about the number of licenses or devices the service can be used on.

Once you have the software and hardware, you will need to install your VPN. This is done through the VPN client tab of your router, which is accessed using a browser on your computer.

Follow the instructions provided by your VPN and, once done, connect to the Internet and visit a site that displays your IP and DNS details. Check these match those of your VPN service to ensure that you’re connecting through the virtual network and not directly from your home network.

Ensure all your IoT devices connect via the router and that you are set up to automatically connect via VPN whenever online. You should also automatically and regularly update both your VPN software as well as the firmware on your router and the devices you are connecting.

Updating software and firmware helps plug any potential security holes and also prevents common errors that may prevent the VPN connection from working properly. Also, when you add new IoT devices and other devices in the home, ensure they run through the VPN or you could be leaving a backdoor open.

How To Secure Your IoT Network

Simply installing antivirus and signing up for a VPN isn’t enough to ensure tight security for your IoT network. There are other protocols you need to follow.

Update Everything

Enable automatic downloads and updates for your security software and your VPN software. Allow the same permissions for your devices, too. Device firmware needs updating to ensure it doesn’t offer access to third parties and to plug other security holes. You can always set automatic updates to occur at night or other times when you’re not using the devices.

Ensure Device Security

When buying new IoT devices, ensure the manufacturer is reputable and that the device soffer TLS authentication. When devices attempt to connect to the router, they need to provide a Transport Layer Security certificate. The software verifies the certificate, and if it can’t verify it, access is denied. This prevents unauthorized devices from being able to simply request and be granted access to the network. This should be fairly standard is devices specifically designed for IoT use, but you do still need to check.

Use Different Passwords

IoT devices should have secure secure access. Whether you are trying to watch the footage from your video doorbell or access your media server via your home network, a secure password prevents external access. Give every device its own unique password, avoid using default passwords, and use long and secure passwords, include special characters, and do not include any strings that are easily guessed.

Use The Automatic Kill Switch

VPN services usually include automatic kill switches. This means that if the network’s access to the VPN server goes down, you are disconnected immediately, preventing any data from being submitted or transferred without protection. When the server connection is remade, devices are once again allowed to connect to the Internet because they have the required level of protection. This is only useful, of course, if the kill switch feature is enabled.

Limit Access

Generally speaking, you should limit access to your network to devices and people you trust. If you have a device that doesn’t have the appropriate security settings or doesn’t have certification verification, don’t use it. Similarly, don’t allow external or third parties to have access to your VPN or security software. Humans are the weakest link in a lot of networks.

Conclusion

Home network security is especially important in a modern age where more and more devices connect to the Internet using a variety of different access methods. A router VPN with antivirus software can provide a formidable layer of security for devices including computers, mobile phones, smart devices, and IoT devices, but only if used appropriately.