UNDATED (NewsDakota.com) – With news of breaches in Facebook’s security protocols hitting the media over the past few weeks, families are growing concerned about the safety of connected appliances within their home.

While the Internet of Things isn’t necessarily a new concept, in recent years it’s been a booming trend among homeowners and business owners alike. One North Dakota farmer has even built an IoT driven farm.

Over 23 billion connected devices are currently installed worldwide, and that number is projected to grow to almost 31 billion by 2020. With an increasing number of households embracing IoT technology, however, comes additional concern over the security of such networks.

What is IoT?

The Internet of Things, or IoT, is a way of connecting electronic devices in the home, car, or workplace. Users can connect different appliances and remotely control their home, including lighting, climate, media, and more. Operating systems such as Amazon Echo, Google Home, and more have made it easy for even the tech-illiterate to set up complicated home networks that connect different components via the Internet. Many operating systems give users the ability to control electronics from their smartphone or to use voice-activated commands when in range.

Safety Concerns

Homeowners are using IoT tech for everything from turning the stove off to checking the temperature or even locking the front door. In doing so, they entrust the safety and privacy of their family to their home network. But just how safe are IoT networks?

While they are for the most part secure, operating systems and individual devices may have weaknesses that leave them vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This has farther-reaching consequences than appliances suddenly coming to life–it gives potentially malicious parties access to data about you and your home, including when you’re around, whether the door is locked, and more.

Even when uncompromised, IoT devices are designed to collect data about daily habits. Many homeowners are unaware of what companies have access to this information or how it’s being used. This had led to significant privacy concerns among families who use IoT electronics.

Precautionary Measures

In order to prevent malicious attacks, homeowners should be sure to secure their IoT devices and home network. In addition to firewalls on computers and wireless routers, it’s a good idea to change the default username and administrative passwords on all wireless equipment when setting it up for the first time. Users should also turn on Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) capabilities to create a secure network via encryption.

While the IoT poses some security risks, for many, the convenience of an interconnected home outweighs any potential danger. Concerned families can take measures to ensure that their network is protected at all times. As IoT technology continues to gain popularity, homeowners can expect to see operating and devices continue to improve their security protocols.