Here are some practical tips on how to defend yourself from possible hacker attacks aimed at home automation which, according to the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, could intensify in the near future.
Objects that we use on a daily basis in our home – from router at surveillance cameraspassing through smart refrigerators, smart socketsetc. – could become i next targets of hackers which in recent days have raised the dark shadow of hybrid warfare. The alarm is raised Juhan Lepassaarexecutive director ofEuropean Union Agency for CybersecuritytheENISAaccording to which after the recent attacks on the refrigeration systems of various European supermarkets, home automation devices could also end up in the crosshairs. «Today it was refrigerators, tomorrow it could be routers, the day after tomorrow it could be appliances», said Lepassaar in an interview with the agency Afp. Without falling into easy alarmism, let’s see what are the potential dangers we face and, above all, how we can prepare now.
Because even smart appliances can become a target according to the EU
Connected devices represent an increasingly large attack surface, this is nothing new. The more numerous the objects that are connected to the networkthe more access doors that need to be protected. An outdated router, a camera protected by the factory-set password, an appliance that uses obsolete firmware, can become weak points of the entire home network.
The problem is part of an already particularly delicate European scenario. According to ENISA’s EU Cybersecurity Index 2026, the average level of preparedness of Member States reaches 71.53 points out of 100. This is a improvement compared to the past, this is true, but it does not mean that the threats have decreased, on the contrary. In 2025 and 2026, cyber intrusion activities remained intense and diversified, and as if this were not enough, the geopolitical tensions continue to influence attacks.
Artificial intelligence contributes to making the scenario even more complex. According to ENISA, more advanced models such as Mythos (a frontier model developed by Anthropic) can accelerate the identification of vulnerabilities, i.e. defects present in software or systems that could be exploited by “good” hackers to correct them, by “bad” ones to compromise systems marked as weak. This means that the time available to correct a flaw before it is used by an attacker could become increasingly smaller.
But what could happen concretely what if a hacker managed to compromise one of the devices in our homes? A smart appliance, being connected to the Internet, could be used as a sort of access point to the home network or inserted into a botnet, a network of devices infected and controlled remotely without the owners realizing it. These devices can then be exploited to conduct DDoS attacks.
How to protect routers, cameras and smart appliances from hacker attacks
To prepare for such a scenario, the first step is to make a list of all the devices we have at home that are connected to the Internetand then check them one by one.
Starting for example from routeryou need to access its management panel and check that the firmware, i.e. the software that controls its operation, is updated to the latest version available. If you haven’t done so yet, enable automatic installation of updates and use one administration password different from the pre-set one by the device manufacturer.
Speaking of software updates, if you happen to install one manually, don’t delay restarting the device, since by postponing this moment the update will not be applied for all intents and purposes. Still regarding the router, make sure you have set the WPA3 security protocolmuch more secure than previous WPA or WPA2.
The same principle applies to camerasvideo surveillance systems, smart speakers and smart appliances of various kinds: periodically check the availability of updates and change the initial credentials, choosing long and difficult to guess passwords and replacing those set by default by the manufacturer of each individual connected appliance.
Another precaution is to connect smart objects to a separate Wi-Fi network from the main one (easily done by creating a guest network), so as to keep more “sensitive” devices safe, such as the computer dedicated to your work or your personal smartphone. This separation, in fact, limits the possibility of movement of a possible attacker between the devices.
Also pay attention to the items you no longer use: A connected device left on and without updates can continue to pose a potential risk. If the manufacturer no longer distributes security updates, consider replacing it with a more recent one.
Walter NarisoniDirector Sales Engineering of Sophos, a company specializing in cybersecurity, explained in this regard:
We often forget that these objects are in effect small computers which, if not adequately protected and updated, can be compromised to collect information, manipulate certain features or attempt to access other devices on the home network. Cybersecurity must (…) become a purchasing criterion as important as price, performance and consumption. Manufacturers must ensure updates and protections over time, while consumers can reduce risks by taking simple precautions: changing default passwords, turning on automatic updates, and avoiding unnecessarily exposing devices to the Internet.
There prevention of cyber attacks which aim at home automation, therefore, it already starts from the choices we make during the purchase phase of accessories to connect: it is better to orient your choice towards reliable brands also with regards to security updates and long-lasting support over the years.
