How I Keep My Smart Devices Safe When I’m NOT Traveling

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Bitdefender. The opinions and text are all mine.

 

In previous posts I’ve introduced the Bitdefender BOX as my all-in-one security device to keep my devices and connections safe while I’m traveling the globe. Now, I’m here to reintroduce the newest version — Bitdefender BOX 2 — as the cybersecurity hub that gives me peace of mind wherever I am, especially my growing smart home with more and more wi-fi connected devices that I keep docked at home.

 

How I Keep My Smart Devices Safe When I’m NOT Traveling

 

Just in time for seasonal shopping, Bitdefender is releasing its second version of the Bitdefender BOX: protection from hackers and malware for all of your smart devices at home, from laptops to smartphones to gaming consoles and baby monitors.

I carry a lot of sensitive information on my laptop and phone: photocopies of my passport and travel details, passwords, and thousands of invaluable photos…and while ensuring technology and wireless devices are safe when traveling is absolutely essential, I can’t drop the ball when I’m home.

 

Protecting Your Smart Home

Whether you use your internet for surfing the web and paying bills, or you work from home like I do, it’s absolutely critical to keep your network private and protected. With so many devices connected to wi-fi — our wifi-connected TV, smart phones, tablets, garage door opener, laptops and desktop computers — having Bitdefender BOX protecting each device gives us peace of mind so we can enjoy the limited time we have at home.

 

Be Mindful When Downloading Apps

Millions of predatory Android apps have been downloaded unknowingly — this can cause some serious damage for your devices and your wallet. These apps can not only drop cookies and contain spyware, by also secretly sign up for services that will rack up your phone bill.

Though I primarily use Apple products, that’s not to say my phone and laptop are completely immune to faulty or fake applications and software downloads. If you’re unfamiliar with a particular app, review the fine print before downloading and never save your username and password; all too often we use the same usernames and passwords for multiple sites and applications, and it only takes one of these “fake” apps or software to retrieve and exploit that information.

 

Assess the Vulnerability of Your Devices

It’s 2017 — in this digital age, securing electronic devices is not optional.

The Bitdefender BOX conducts assessments by continuously scanning for weaknesses within your network and highlighting security flaws. It’s so important to identify where the weak links are in your system and protect every device against threats.

Bitdefender BOX detects new devices that connect to your network and bars access from malicious attacks or users. It also goes above and beyond standard malware to filter out unsafe URLs and prevent bots from compromising your devices.

 

Turn Off Bluetooth

Believe it or not, Bluetooth hacking is a thing.

Set your phone to “undiscoverable” mode if your Bluetooth settings provide the opportunity to, and ensure your Bluetooth is actually turned off whenever you aren’t using it. Unknown threats within a close proximity (anybody else work at coffee shops?) can access your data, make calls, or even listen in to your calls — so scary!

 

Maintain Access Through the Bitdefender App

Once installed, you can control your Bitdefender BOX from the Bitdefender Central app on your phone which instantly notifies you about blocked threats. You can add users and devices, run scans and optimizations, and quickly check your security status right from your phone!

You can also set parental control — which allow parents to manage daily Internet time and set content filters by age categories — or pause the Internet altogether for precious family time. The app notifies you of ongoing network events and allows you to configure and manage all your devices remotely.

 

Connect Safely

Whether you use your internet for surfing the web and paying bills, or you work from home like I do, it’s absolutely critical to keep your network private and protected. With the Bitdefender BOX, you get access to a free secure VPN– virtual private network client — that you can use also outside of the home. When connected to the VPN outside of home, I am still protected by Bitdefender’s Private Line VPN so that unsecure wi-fi networks that I connect to at the airport or other public places are no threat to me.

When I’m at home, I’ll often still work at coffee shops, which means I am putting myself at risk by connecting to a new network. Bitdefender’s Private Line helps keep my cybersecurity safety under my own control.

 

How to Purchase Bitdefender BOX 2

Purchasing the Bitdefender BOX 2 from the Bitdefender website, Amazon or Best Buy is easy, and a how-to video (to come) makes set-up of hardware and cloud services quick and simple. I’m just one of over 500 million BOX users worldwide —  and with unlimited protection + 24/7 tech support for every device in your home and network there’s no excuse to not be protecting your family’s most sensitive information to the utmost!