Before you connect another smart TV, tablet or phone, lock it down

If your home Wi-Fi is like most, it is packed with connected devices. Smart TVs, phones, tablets, laptops, refrigerators, robot vacuums and security cameras may all be sharing the same network.

The problem is that most people connect a new device first and think about security later. Some never check the settings at all. That gives hackers, data brokers and nosy companies exactly the opening they want.

Before you connect your next smart TV, tablet or phone, take a few minutes to lock it down.

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When a new gadget arrives in your hands, it isn't a blank slate. It comes loaded with factory settings designed for convenience instead of protection. Manufacturers want the unboxing experience to feel effortless, so they turn on features, like automatic connections, data sharing and remote access, that make setup easy but leave you exposed.

Smart TVs are some of the worst offenders. Many come with a feature called Automatic Content Recognition(ACR), switched on by default. It works like a fingerprint scanner for your screen, capturing information about everything you watch and sending it back to the manufacturer. You agreed to it somewhere in the terms and conditions you blitzed through when you set it up. Most people have no idea it's even there.

Tablets and phones bring their own risks. Although many hardware manufacturers like to brag about privacy, lots of tablets and phones will share your location, accept connections from nearby devices, and back up your data to the company's servers - all by default.

Plus, your home network is only as secure as its weakest device. One poorly configured smart TV or old tablet with an out-of-date OS can give attackers a foothold into everything else connected to the same router.

Before you connect any new smart TV, tablet or phone to your home network, take five minutes to check the settings manually. You do not need to be a tech expert. Focus on the areas that create the biggest openings.

First, update the device and change any default passwords or PINs. A brand-new device may have been sitting in a warehouse for months, which means it could already need a security update. Default credentials are also easy for attackers to find online.

Next, review privacy settings. On a smart TV, look for Automatic Content Recognition, or ACR, and turn it off. Depending on the brand, it may be listed under Viewing Data, Live Plus, SyncPlus, Smart TV Experience or privacy settings. On a phone or tablet, check location, camera, microphone and nearby device permissions.

Then, turn off connectivity features you do not use. Bluetooth, remote access, file sharing and screen mirroring can all create openings when they stay on all the time.

Finally, consider adding a VPN for another layer of privacy. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, which helps protect what your smart TV, phone, tablet or laptop sends over the network. A trusted VPN has apps for many popular devices, and it can also run at the router level on compatible routers.

For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

The full checklist below walks you through each step.

New device security checklist

Next time you bring home a smart TV, tablet or phone, do this before you use it every day.

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Before you connect the device, open your router app or router settings page. Look for Guest Network, IoT Network or Device Isolation. Create a separate Wi-Fi name for TVs, speakers, cameras and smart home gear.

Use WPA3 Personal if your router offers it. If not, use WPA2 Personal. Give this network a strong password you do not use anywhere else. Then connect the new smart TV or tablet to that network instead of the same Wi-Fi your work laptop uses.

Install updates before you add streaming apps, email accounts or payment info.

Do not leave factory passwords in place. Change the device PIN, parental control PIN or purchase PIN if the setup screen offers one. Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords. Use a long passcode on phones and tablets instead of a 4-digit code. Also, rename the device. A name like "Kurt's Bedroom TV" tells more than you need to share. Use something generic like "Living Room TV" or "Tablet 1."

Before you sign in to Apple, Google, Samsung, Amazon or Roku, turn on two-factor authentication where available. For Roku, set a PIN to help block unwanted purchases, subscriptions and app additions.

Smart TVs often include Automatic Content Recognition, or ACR. It can identify what appears on your screen for ads, analytics or recommendations. Turn it off during setup or immediately after setup.

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Phones and tablets often ask for more access than an app needs. Give each app the least access possible.

Turn off Bluetooth when you do not need it. On phones, tablets and TVs, also look for Nearby Share, Quick Share, AirDrop, file sharing, screen mirroring and remote access.

Set this up before the device goes missing.

For tablets used by kids or guests, write down the serial number. Keep it somewhere safe in case you need to report the device lost or stolen.

New devices often come with preinstalled apps. Delete or disable anything you will not use. Then install apps only from the official app store for that device.

On phones and tablets, avoid sideloading apps unless you know exactly where they came from.

On smart TVs, skip random free streaming apps with poor reviews, no clear developer or strange permission prompts.

A VPN adds a layer of privacy by encrypting your internet traffic before it leaves your device. That can help limit what your internet provider can see and add protection when you use public Wi-Fi.

Look for a trusted VPN that offers apps for phones, tablets, computers and streaming devices. Some VPNs can also run at the router level on compatible routers. That option can be helpful because it may protect devices that do not support a VPN app, such as some smart TVs, game consoles and connected home gadgets.

Once a router VPN is set up, connected devices can receive VPN protection automatically. Just remember that a VPN does not make you invisible online. Websites may still recognize you when you log in, share personal details or use the same browser. Still, for everyday privacy, a reliable VPN can be a smart extra layer.

For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

The default settings most devices ship with are designed for the manufacturer's benefit, not yours. Before you connect your next smart TV, tablet, or phone, take a few minutes to go through the settings, lock down what doesn't need to be open, and put a VPN between your network and the rest of the internet.

Have you ever found a privacy setting on a new device that surprised you? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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