E-Financial
Seven Ways to Keep your Smart Home Devices out of the Hands of Hackers
Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd., a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions globally, has seven tips to help Africans keep their smart home devices out of the hands of hackers.
In an increasingly connected world, it’s becoming harder to find a home that doesn’t have at least one smart device. In fact, research shows that, by 2026, there will be three million smart homes in South Africa.
Whether it’s a smart TV, a smart plug that lets you turn devices on and off remotely, or a doorbell with a fully functioning camera, these devices are here to stay.
However, while these gadgets provide convenience, they are also simultaneously multiplying the number of access points that hackers can use to steal private and personal information, such as email addresses or credit card information.
An investigation by Which? reported that, on average, homes with smart devices are vulnerable to 12,000 hacking or unknown scanning attacks from across the world in just a single week.
News reports have shared horror stories ranging from smart devices listening to private conversations to hackers using camera-enabled gadgets to gain access to a constant stream of live video from inside homes.
With more people working from home today, attackers are also going a step further: targeting unprotected work devices connected to the same compromised Wi-Fi and gaining access to the corporate network.
By using our smart home devices as a gateway, these intruders can leave behind a path of chaos, affecting not only personal privacy but also resulting in a possible corporate-wide data breach.
Pankaj Bhula, Regional Director for Africa at Check Point Software Technologies said, “South Africans are hyper aware of the precautions to take to prevent burglars from entering our homes and stealing our physical possessions.
However, most often, we overlook the hidden threats posed by our smart home devices that allow malicious hackers with sinister intentions to watch and listen to our most private conversations conducted in the comfort and confines of our own homes.
“With every year that passes, we are seeing a constant trend of hackers becoming ever more aggressive and, as a result, any device connected to the internet is ‘fair game.’ In the landscape we now live in, it’s not enough to assume that these incidences just ‘won’t happen’ to you, and all owners of these devices should be taking extra precautions to keep their information protected. It only takes only one overlooked device for a hacker to create untold harm and distress.”
Tips to keep your smart home devices safe and secure
- Update software: Regularly updating your devices’ software when required is a must to keep your home and your data protected. You can also purchase additional antivirus software for your mobile devices, which doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It can often work out to the same price as buying one cup of coffee a day. With hackers using more sophisticated attack methods, it’s important to have the best and newest form of protection against these evolving threats.
- Set up a standalone Wi-Fi network for your devices: Most routers let you create a separate network for your smart home devices, which will make it harder for hackers to access your devices. You can also consider creating a ‘guest setting’ for your Wi-Fi. This will allow your friends and family to access the internet without the risk of you having to write down or virtually share your primary network login details.
- Level up your passwords: Create strong passwords for each device, ensuring that they are random and not personal to the individual that owns the device. Personal information, like your birthday, is easier for hackers to find. If you struggle to remember complex passwords, consider using a password manager to help keep your devices protected.
- Double authentication: By setting up a second form of authentication, known as two-factor authentication or 2FA, hackers can be deterred from accessing your devices. While this may pose a mild inconvenience to you, it’s nothing compared to the turmoil a hacker can cause once they’ve gained access to your smart home devices.
- Encryption: Ensure your router is using the highest level of encryption to keep your data safe from unwanted threats. Don’t forget about any internal Wi-Fi extenders or powerline home networks that will also have a setting to allow encryption across the home network. Doing this will add an extra layer of protection not only for your router, but also for your smart devices.
- Change the default password on your router: This is separate to your Wi-Fi passwords but just as important. Most routers come with a simple default password to allow for easy set-up, but as a result are just as easy for hackers to guess. There are even lists of the most common passwords online, so be safe and change them as soon as possible.
- Keep your work devices protected: With more people working from home, it’s important that your work devices are as protected as personal ones when they are relying on your home Wi-Fi. Make sure your devices are up to date with the latest anti-malware technology. By keeping everything secure, you can reduce the threat posed to your smart devices.
World Bank has said that it has given approval of $300 million to fund a new project aimed at bolstering access to services and economic opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their host communities in northern Nigeria.
In a release, the World Bank said the Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities Project (SOLID) was approved on August 7.
It stated that the project will adopt an integrated development strategy to help displaced persons and host communities transition from humanitarian aid to self-reliance and resilience.
It also said the ongoing conflict and insecurity in the region have displaced more than 3.5 million people, straining infrastructure and deepening competition for scarce resources in affected communities.
The bank said SOLID will build on previous government and partner interventions, including the multi-sectoral crisis recovery project (MCRP), which focused on emergency recovery.
“Key areas of focus include building climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting social cohesion, supporting livelihoods, and strengthening institutions to better respond to the pressures of forced displacement.
“We are glad to support this initiative which has a tremendous potential to help Nigeria in addressing development challenges associated with protracted displacement in a sustainable way,” Mathew Verghis, World Bank country director for Nigeria, said.
“The Project’s integrated approach which is aligned with the National IDP Policy and the FGN’s long-term development vision will ensure that IDPs and host communities can transition from dependency on humanitarian assistance to self-reliance and resilience which will open up better economic opportunities,” it added.
The World Bank, which noted that the cproject is expected to benefit up to 7.4 million people, of whom up to 1.3 million individuals are identified as IDPs, added that the project will be implemented through a coordinated, community-driven approach involving all tiers of government, with strong partnerships from international stakeholders.
United Bank for Africa (UBA), Plc, Africa’s Global Bank, has launched its revamped Group website to enhance users’ digital experience.
The newly revamped website boasts of a faster, smarter, and more dynamic digital platform, designed to deliver live news updates, real-time Nigerian stock prices, and a world-class user experience among other world-class features.
The upgrade marks a significant leap in the bank’s digital transformation journey, setting new standards for speed, accessibility, and innovation in the African banking industry.
Alero Ladipo, group head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, UBA, who spoke excitedly about the revamped website, explained that the redesign focuses on simplifying user-journey, improving responsiveness across all devices, and incorporating a language-agnostic interface that caters to the bank’s diverse global audience.
She explained that with its sleek, intuitive layout and enhanced navigation, the site empowers customers, investors, and stakeholders to access critical information instantly – whether it is the latest market movements, breaking financial news, or UBA’s wide range of products and services.
Ms Ladipo said, “We are thrilled to unveil our new website, which represents a significant milestone in our digital transformation journey. Our goal is to provide a world-class digital experience that meets the evolving needs of our customers and stakeholders.”
Continuing, she added, “A major highlight of the upgrade is its speed, powered by an upgraded server infrastructure with enhanced load balancing to ensure minimal downtime and lightning-fast performance. By combining speed, accessibility, and live market intelligence, our new platform strengthens our position as an industry leader.”
She pointed out that the site also integrates automated news updates powered by International agency, Bloomberg and real-time stock prices tracking, ensuring visitors remain informed at all times.
Throwing more light on the new features, Amanda Oguamanam, head, Digital and Online Marketing, UBA, said; “We have transformed our website to be faster, cleaner, and more engaging, removing clutter by over 60%, upgrading servers for speed and reliability, streamlining navigation, and tailoring content to inspire global partners while making it easier for customers to find what they need.”
Other standout features, she added, include improved accessibility for users with disabilities, dark/light mode toggle, advanced search functions, and a simplified content structure, which are all designed to deliver an inclusive, modern experience for a global audience.
The revamped website is live and accessible at www.ubagroup.com.
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally.
Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting-edge technology.
Nigeria’s Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue surged to ₦6.72 trillion in 2024, marking an 84.6% increase from ₦3.64 trillion in 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This sharp rise reflects stronger economic activity and improved tax collection efforts across key sectors.
VAT revenue showed consistent growth throughout the year. In Q1 2024, collections stood at ₦1.43 trillion. This rose to ₦1.56 trillion in Q2, representing a 9.09% increase. Q3 recorded ₦1.78 trillion, up 14% from the previous quarter, while Q4 peaked at ₦1.95 trillion, a 9.5% rise from Q3.
In Q4 alone, VAT collections totaled ₦1.95 trillion, with domestic VAT payments contributing ₦917.40 billion, non-import foreign VAT at ₦554.68 billion, and import VAT at ₦474.75 billion. Domestic VAT remained the largest source, indicating strong local business activity and consumer spending.
Several sectors posted significant quarter-on-quarter growth in Q4. Extraterritorial organisations and bodies saw a dramatic rise of 180.05%, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing at 70.83%, and human health and social work at 46.13%. These gains suggest increased operational scope, improved compliance, and possibly targeted government incentives.
However, not all sectors fared well. Households as employers and self-use production contracted by 28.97%, while the information and communication sector declined by 23%. The drop in ICT may reflect shifting market dynamics or regulatory headwinds affecting digital services.
Overall, the surge in VAT revenue signals a positive fiscal outlook for Nigeria, with implications for budgetary planning, infrastructure investment, and social services funding. It also highlights the importance of sector-specific monitoring to sustain momentum and address emerging challenges.
Firm Shares Tips for Safer Remote Working
NCC Bars Ex-Officials from Joining Telecom Firms for 5 Years
Airtel, Vodacom sign Network Infrastructure Agreement to Drive Digital Inclusion
Truecaller Crosses 100m Users in MEA Region
World Bank Approves $300m Loan to Support IDPs in Northern Nigeria
News3 days agoGoogle Hit by AI-driven Cyber Attack
General News3 days agoKuwait Busts Nigerian Cybercrime Ring Targeting Telecom Tower, Banks
News3 days agoFIRS Rolls out e-invoicing System for Large Corporate Taxpayers
E-Business3 days agoPalmPay Partners AXA Mansard Health to Make Digital Insurance Accessible, Affordable
E-Business3 days agoZequence Digital Boss Calls for Strong IP Laws Enforcement, to Protect Nigeria’s Software Sector
Telecom3 days agoMTN Nigeria’s Mega Billion Promo Turns Airtime into Fortune for Thousands Amid Economic Strain
E-Financial2 days agoNBS Reports ₦6.72 Trillion VAT Haul as Tax Reforms Pay Off
Telecom3 days agoI see Crisis, Resignations @ MTN, Airtel, Others – Primate Ayodele