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3 Things That Could Take Your Smart Home to the Next Level

    American homes are getting smarter. From smart speakers to complete home automation systems that handle it all, Americans are gradually embracing the smart home revolution. How about you? If you are new to home automation, there are some things you can do to take it to the next level.

    I am going to assume that your experience with home automation is limited to a smart speaker and a couple of smart lighting fixtures. I will also assume you have plans to add to your system in the future. That being the case, here are three things you can do to stay ahead of the game:

    1. Invest in a New Router

    All the devices in a smart home connect to its hub via your local network. And if you are like most people, your home network is a wi-fi network powered by a router. Any plans to fully develop your home automation system in the future suggest investing in a state-of-the-art router.

    Look for a router that offers the latest security protocols. You also want a dual band router for greater speed and network efficiency. A dual band router allows you to isolate your home automation system on one band or the other, leaving the unused band for computers, phones, and streaming devices.

    Hide the Network SSID

    As long as you are investing in a new router, get one that allows you to hide your network SSID. Hidden networks are not impossible to hack, but they are harder. Hackers have a tougher time locating and hacking networks they don’t know exist.

    2. Take Advantage of Two-Factor Authentication

    Should you eventually decide to invest in a complete home automation system through a service provider like Vivint, choose a service that utilizes two-factor authentication (2FA) for all account access. Your account will be much more secure that way.

    Also note that some DIY devices come with apps that offer 2FA. Utilize it whenever you can. Two-factor authentication requires more than just a user and password to gain access. You need to prove your identity in a second way. Usually this is done through an email or text message with a unique access number.

    2FA is a fantastic tool for thwarting hackers. It makes breaking into a home network much harder, to the extent that many hackers will simply give up and seek out other targets if they discover 2FA on a current target.

    3. Invest in Geolocation

    Finally, the one thing that could take your home automation system above and beyond your wildest dreams is geolocation technology. Combining geolocation with geofencing and home automation makes it possible to program your system to automatically do things based on where you are.

    For example, you could build a geofence around your home with a 1-mile perimeter. Then you could program your system to automatically disarm its security devices while simultaneously turning on the lights and adjusting the thermostat as you drive home from work. As soon as your cell phone gets inside that 1-mile perimeter, your home automation system kicks in.

    A home automation system that is integrated with geolocation is a system capable of doing a lot on its own. It truly shows the capabilities of modern home automation. In addition, an integrated system demonstrates where the industry is going in the future.

    Home automation is here to stay. Not only that, but it is also going to get more amazing as time goes on. If you are just getting into it, try the three things described in this post to take your current system to the next level.