Key Takeaways
- Every connected device — even rarely used ones — can be an entry point for attackers.
- A simple device inventory helps you apply consistent protections across your household.
- Software updates, strong credentials, and screen locks are the highest-impact basics.
- Older and shared devices often carry the most overlooked security gaps.
- Network-level protections complement but do not replace device-level security habits.
Why a Household-Level View Matters
Most security advice focuses on a single device — your phone, your laptop, your router. But in a typical home, the real picture is more complicated. There may be a family tablet, a work laptop, a child's Chromebook, a game console, a smart TV, and a handful of other gadgets, each connected to the same network and each carrying its own vulnerabilities.
Attackers rarely care which device they compromise first. If one device on your network is poorly secured, it can be used as a foothold to reach others. That's why thinking about security at the household level — rather than device by device — is a more effective approach. See our complete foundation for home network security to understand how your network layer fits into this picture.
17+
Average connected devices per U.S. household
According to Deloitte's Digital Consumer Trends research, the average American household owns more than 17 internet-connected devices.
57%
IoT devices vulnerable to medium or high attacks
A Palo Alto Networks threat report found that 57% of IoT devices are vulnerable to medium- or high-severity attacks, often due to outdated software.
Start With an Inventory
Before you can secure your devices, you need to know what you have. Take ten minutes to walk through your home and list every device that connects to the internet — including ones you rarely use. Common items people forget: old smartphones in a drawer, a printer, a streaming stick, a smart thermostat, or a gaming handheld.
For each device, note:
- What it is and who uses it
- When it last received a software update
- Whether it has a screen lock or login password
- Whether the default credentials (username/password) have been changed
This inventory becomes your checklist. It also makes it easier to spot devices you no longer need — which can simply be disconnected and removed, reducing your exposure without any additional effort.
Use Your Router's Device List
Most home routers have an admin panel that shows every device currently connected to your network. Logging in and reviewing this list is one of the fastest ways to spot devices you forgot about — or devices you don't recognize, which could indicate an unwanted connection.
Core Security Habits for Every Device
Regardless of device type, a handful of practices apply universally:
Keep Software Updated
Software updates frequently patch known security vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates wherever possible. On devices that don't support automatic updates, set a calendar reminder to check manually every month.
Use Strong, Unique Credentials
Every device or account should have a password that isn't reused elsewhere. A password manager makes this practical — you only need to remember one strong passphrase to access all the others.
Enable Screen Locks
Phones, tablets, and laptops should require a PIN, password, or biometric to unlock. This limits damage if a device is lost or left unattended.
Turn Off What You're Not Using
Bluetooth, location services, and remote access features increase your attack surface when left on by default. Disable them when they aren't actively needed.
When setting up a new device, spend five minutes in its settings menu before connecting it to anything else. Disable features you won't use, change default credentials, and check for a firmware or software update right away.
New devices often ship with outdated software and permissive default settings. Addressing both before use prevents you from introducing known vulnerabilities into your network from the start.
Treat your router's guest network as a dedicated zone for smart home devices and IoT gadgets, keeping them separate from the computers and phones that hold sensitive data.
Network segmentation limits the damage if one device is compromised — an attacker who gains access to your smart TV won't automatically be able to reach your laptop or NAS drive.
Devices That Need Extra Attention
Some categories consistently get overlooked but carry meaningful risk:
Smart Home Devices
Smart speakers, cameras, and thermostats often ship with default credentials and receive infrequent updates. Our guide to locking down smart home devices covers the practical steps specific to these products. For a deeper look at IoT risks in particular, see how to keep IoT devices from becoming your weakest link.
Old or Unused Devices
A laptop running an unsupported operating system poses real risk even if it's rarely used. If you can't update it to a supported OS, consider keeping it offline or retiring it entirely.
Routers and Modems
Your router is the gateway for all traffic in your home. Change the default admin password, disable remote management if you don't need it, and check for firmware updates periodically. For a full walkthrough, see what you should have in place for home network security.
Default Passwords Are Publicly Known
Manufacturers often ship devices with identical default usernames and passwords — and these credentials are frequently published online. Leaving them unchanged means anyone who can reach your device may already know how to log in. Change default credentials on every new device before connecting it to your network.
Shared and Children's Devices
Devices used by multiple people — or by children — introduce specific considerations. Children may be more likely to click on phishing links or grant permissions to unfamiliar apps without recognizing the risk.
Practical steps for shared and children's devices:
- Set up separate user accounts where supported (most laptops and tablets allow this)
- Enable parental controls at the device level, not just through apps
- Review which apps and permissions are installed regularly
- Discuss basic online safety habits with children as an ongoing conversation, not a one-time talk
Shared devices also tend to accumulate apps and browser extensions over time. Periodically audit what's installed and remove anything that isn't actively used.
Keeping Your Protections Current
Security isn't a one-time setup — it requires occasional maintenance. A realistic schedule for most households looks like this:
- Monthly
- Check for software updates on devices that aren't set to auto-update. Review any new apps or accounts added to shared devices.
- Every few months
- Revisit your device inventory. Remove devices you no longer use. Check that all router and smart home device firmware is current.
- Annually
- Review account passwords and update any that are weak or reused. Consider whether older devices still meet your needs or should be retired.
Device security and network security reinforce each other. For a comprehensive view of how all these layers connect, protecting your network across every device you own is a useful complement to this guide. You may also want to explore what your smart home devices actually collect to understand the data dimension of connected living.
Unsupported Devices Remain Vulnerable Permanently
When a manufacturer stops releasing security updates for a device, any vulnerabilities discovered after that point will never be patched. Using unsupported devices on an active network is an ongoing risk, not a temporary one. If you must keep an older device, consider isolating it on a separate network segment or limiting its internet access.