Tips From The Top

You may love your digital picture frame, but is it opening your home to cybercriminals?

There’s a serious reason we got into this business. As integrators, we make sure our clients’ homes are protected and secure from malicious activity.

This week, our work to protect our clients became even more important when the FBI issued another warning about a botnet threat to smart homes.

The PSA detailed how cybercriminals are exploiting IoT devices connected to home networks using the BADBOX 2.0 botnet. The FBI reports the malware is affecting “millions” of devices with a new version even more dangerous than its 2024 predecessor. This one is going after more hardware and devices both before and after purchase. It’s installed prior to purchase or when the homeowner connects it to the internet. Cybercriminals can then gain access through compromised devices, including digital projectors, TV streaming devices, and yes, that favorite digital picture frame. Once the devices are online, they can be used as residential proxies for malicious activity without the home owner even knowing.

This isn’t the first time the FBI has issued a warning about potential threats to a smart home system. It won’t be the last. Fortunately, as smart home integrators, we’re on top of these potential threats long before they ever enter the mainstream awareness.

First of all, we work with top level smart home automation platforms like Savant and josh.ai, which prioritize personal security and privacy. All of the devices and equipment we install maintain the highest standard in quality, and we vet the security of all devices. And when we integrate devices into a home system, whether it’s climate control or lighting or entertainment, we make sure the entire home system is secure.

Beyond the initial integration, we continually monitor and assess the home system so that all of its components are up to date and resistant to malicious cybersecurity threats. We look for traffic anomalies and proactively manage security updates.

As integrators, we know our clients trust us to bring them the highest quality systems and products for their personal home spaces. We carefully review every product and only work with certified, top-level technology. We make sure the entire home system is safe and secure and maintain the highest integrity possible. And we make sure our clients know and understand the quality of their devices, working together so that no technology will compromise the high integrity of their homes.

Our clients can relax, knowing their homes are safe from cybercriminals – both now and in the future.

To learn more about the safety and security of your integrated smart home, call us at Jackson Hole AV. We’d love to discuss the possibilities.