Smart Plugs are devices that produce to replace ordinary electrical outlets. When the time comes to switch on, you can switch on your plug via your smartphone. You can be sure about smart plugs safe. But rarely, there may be security issues. Still, technology has not developed to stop these issues. We can not stop burglars by using this advanced technology. And we can not prevent natural disasters also.
Smart plugs also have the same standard guidelines. If we go through them, we can avoid many security issues. As a smart home lover, you can confirm smart plug safely. It is better to prevent overloading the outlet to avoid fire issues. And the other main security risk is people may try to hack your smart plugs.
Don’t be afraid to use smart plugs. There are solutions for any problem.
You may be eager to know, Are smart plugs safe from fire risk?
Unlike other ordinary plugs, smart plugs are more likely to be a risk If you use them improperly. The smart plug contains many protective things. But if you connect them improperly, it may cause a fire. Especially smart plugs’ safe depends on the usage and the quality of the product that you use.
You can find that most electrical fires cause due to faulty electrical appliances and old, outdated appliances. Other fires occur due to faults in appliance cords, switches, and receptacles.
Suppose you overload a socket by plugging too many appliances, and it may also destroy your valuable electrical appliances. Per year, many houses face fire disasters due to overloading the outlets. Also, if your plug-in appliances exceed the plug’s maximum voltage, it also courses for fire. It will cause short-circuit and electric discharges and cause a fire.
The key thing is if you use reputed appliances, your smart plugs safe from fire risks.
Are cheap smart plugs safe? Here about their safety.
All quality products are expensive as they design for long time usage. A smart plug may not be the first item you think of when searching for a smart, automated house. But these smart plugs are more valuable than you think. When you are using cheap smart plugs, you will face these different types of problems.
If you visit Amazon or eBay sites and search for smart plugs, you will see a wide range of identical smart plugs at a low price. You may attract to that low price. They will expose to hackers, and they can fire easily. So it is good to buy your smart devices from authorized places that contain branded devices.
Especially on the online marketplace, there may be hundreds of devices. Be aware of the brands and the companies that sell smart products without websites or contact details. If you can not find the brand online at all, or it does not look reputable, avoid it.
It will be great.
When you are purchasing smart devices, you should read their reviews. It may contain many reviews, about hundred or thousands. Especially read the negative thoughts also. They can be alert for you. There may be wrong comments or fake comments on online shopping sites. So be careful about those things.
When you set up a new device, remember to change the activated password into a strong password containing three words. It is more secure. Also, install and update necessary software at the time. It gives vital protection against security threats. Set your device’s settings to auto-updates. Then you would not update manually.
Ontime they will update.
Did you get it?
Can you use a smart plug on an extension cord?
Yeah. If the outlet is far away, you can use an extension cord.
You can connect a smart plug into an extension cord. There is nothing dangerous about doing this. And also, there are no technical disadvantages. But smart plugs are big. So you can not get the maximum usage of an extension cord as sometimes one plug may cover a big area.
The only thing you should be cautious about is that you do not cross the power limit. You can plug your smart plug into an extension cord as you like, but it is not an attractive and good idea because smart plugs are large devices. If you connect one smart plug into an extension cord, it will cover some of the outlets. You can limit the number of appliances added to the extension cord.
Is it safe to leave smart plugs on?
There is no problem with leaving a smart plug when it is on. You can switch them off via your smartphone wherever you are. But when an appliance gets too hot, it may cause a fire if you completely forget about that appliance. So you can program them to switch off after a certain time.
Also, if you can simply set schedules to control your smart plugs on and off, it is an easy task for you. Then your smart plugs will automatically turn off and on at their own time. Smart plugs can stop even potential fire happening when a device goes wrong.
Some reputed smart plugs monitor the temperature. If the device gets too hot, it sends a message via your smartphone, and they get automatically shut off. You can program them to ensure your electrical appliances completely switch off whenever you are not using them.
Sounds great, right.
How about hackers? Can smart plugs be hacked?
Of course, yes. Hackers also update with technology. If your security is low, they may hack. There are many cybersecurity risks under certain circumstances. Cheap smart plugs are found especially vulnerable to hacking. Hackers can use your smart plugs to access your home network. When you buy smart plugs from unknown brands, such as Amazon, eBay, or other online shopping sites, they can mainly face hacking problems.
You will be attracted to those smart devices as they are cheap. They are causing fire extensions also. Smart plug makers like TP-Link, Hive, and Hickton are all open to vulnerabilities, and they are responsible for it. They sell their brand through Amazon or eBay online shopping centers.
You can strengthen your password. Some people have insecure passwords. Make sure about your password. Your password is strong if a password contains at least three words with unique characters and without repeat numbers. So hackers can not suggest your password.
You can update all software, firmware, and related apps. Updating is an easy task. But many people forget to check in their updates. So always check your updates and update them on time. Always be with the newest version. Companies often update their software to ensure their customers’ security. So you should update them. If not, you may expose to hackers as hackers are updating with the technology more than you.
Buy good quality branded products. Because it is a very common thing among some companies as they create similar products same as original products and sell them at low prices via online shopping centers. If you can take branded and quality things, you can make sure about your security. Remember to change your network name also. So then, the hacker can not identify your router’s type.
So there are some security problems related to many smart devices. It is a common thing. But if you can control them, you can get the maximum usage of these smart plugs. Then it will be a more comfortable and secure thing. If you buy reputed smart plugs, you can be free from your problems in the future.
Come on! You can solve all the security issues. Don’t be afraid of security issues. But aware of them. It is better.
Technology is for you!
Do not give up!
Just now, you can experience it.
