Maintaining security and privacy when using network-connected equipment is very important. Unfortunately there are many factors that can influence our having problems and we must avoid them. There is something that users sometimes overlook and is the fact of acquiring a second-hand device and not taking precautions. We are going to give some tips.
The problem of second-hand devices on the network
We can say that any team can become dangerous at any given time. We may have been victims of any variety of malware, vulnerabilities, or any flaw that allows a hacker to steal information.
This is something that will affect our computers, mobile phones or even any device of what is known as the Internet of Things . The latter, moreover, is what can go unnoticed the most. We are not aware on many occasions of certain old equipment or that we have acquired second hand and that they could be dangerous.
There may be different circumstances. For example, we may be using a second-hand video player that we connect to the television and, in turn, is connected to the network. This equipment may have been given to us by a relative or friend, we have bought it online or in a second-hand store. Someone may have maliciously modified it or it may simply be out of date and previously infected and now it affects us.
How to use second-hand devices safely
It is important to bear in mind that we must use our devices in complete safety. We should never connect any device to the network without checking if it really is reliable or could be a threat. We are going to give some recommendations.
Return to factory settings
Something fundamental that we must do as soon as we start using a second-hand device, whatever the source, is to set the factory settings . In this way we are going to reset all the configuration, user names, passwords …
This is very useful to avoid certain errors that may be in the configuration, hidden malware, weak passwords … It is essential to start from scratch and minimize the risk that we are connecting a dangerous device to the network.
Update any device
Of course, we must update these equipment before starting to use them. They may not have been used for a long time, have not received patches, and that would pose a significant security threat. It is essential that we always have all the updates correctly added.
Encrypt them correctly
We must also protect second-hand devices with a good password . This key must contain letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and other special symbols. All this, in addition, in a random way to make it difficult for possible intruders to enter.
Any equipment that we connect to the network must be protected by good encryption. This logically also applies to Internet of Things devices, whether we have bought it new or we are using a second-hand one.
Use security programs if possible
Are we going to connect a device to our television, computer or mobile? It may be a good idea to protect these latter computers with security programs , whenever possible. Today we have a wide range of options for this. We can use free and paid programs.
In short, these are some basic tips that we can take into account if we are going to use second-hand equipment connected to the network. It is essential that we always protect security and thus avoid possible problems that may appear.