The government is cautioning households about potential cybersecurity threats during the post-Christmas period. With many people receiving ‘smart’ devices as gifts, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has highlighted the risks associated with insecure devices that could be vulnerable to hackers, leading to unauthorized access or cyber attacks on household networks.
Recent data reveals that connected homes face an average of 10 attacks every 24 hours, with security measures blocking around 1,736 threats per minute. To enhance security, the government urges households to take a few minutes to set up two-step verification on new device accounts and enable automatic updates.
Baroness Lloyd, the Cyber Security Minister, emphasized the importance of securing smart devices to safeguard families during the holiday season. NCSC director Jonathon Ellison advised ensuring essential security measures are in place when setting up new smart devices.
The UK government asserts its leadership in protecting families from cyber threats, citing regulations mandating basic security standards for all smart devices sold in the country. These regulations, implemented in April last year, aim to prevent default or easily guessable passwords, enhancing overall cybersecurity for households.
The festive security checklist includes implementing recommended security measures to safeguard smart devices and accounts from potential cyber threats.