The government is cautioning households about the heightened risk of cyber attacks by hackers during the post-Christmas period. With the influx of ‘smart’ devices gifted during Christmas, including smart speakers, fitness trackers, security cameras, and various household appliances that can connect to the internet, there is a concern that insecure devices could be exploited by criminals to breach home networks or launch cyber attacks.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a division of GCHQ, highlighted that unsecured devices are vulnerable to unauthorized access, with statistics showing that connected homes face an average of 10 attacks per day, with security measures averting around 1,736 threats per minute.

Emphasizing the need for heightened security measures, the government is urging households to dedicate a few minutes to enable two-step verification on new device accounts and activate automatic updates. Cyber Security Minister Baroness Lloyd stressed the importance of securing smart devices to safeguard personal information and enhance overall security.

Encouraging responsible device setup, Jonathon Ellison, NCSC’s director for national resilience, advised users to prioritize security layers when configuring new smart devices. The government asserts the UK’s leadership in safeguarding families from cyber threats through regulations mandating basic security standards for all smart devices sold in the country, such as prohibiting default or easily guessable passwords.

The festive security checklist recommends proactive measures to protect against potential cyber risks, reinforcing the importance of securing connected devices and online accounts.