The government is alerting households to the increased risk of hacking during the post-Christmas period. Many individuals may have received ‘smart’ devices as Christmas gifts, adding to the already numerous internet-connected items in UK homes, ranging from smart speakers and fitness trackers to security cameras, modern appliances like fridges and thermostats, and even kettles, washing machines, and toys.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a division of GCHQ, has cautioned that insecure devices can potentially be exploited by criminals to access a household’s network or launch cyber attacks. Recent studies on connected homes revealed that devices face an average of 10 attacks every 24 hours, with security measures thwarting approximately 1,736 threats per minute.

In light of this, the government is urging households to spend five minutes setting up two-step verification on new device accounts or enabling automatic updates. Cyber Security Minister Baroness Lloyd emphasized the importance of securing smart devices to safeguard families during the holiday season.

NCSC’s director for national resilience, Jonathon Ellison, advised users to ensure robust security measures when setting up new smart devices. The government asserts that the UK is at the forefront of protecting families from cyber threats, citing regulations mandating all smart devices sold in the UK to meet minimum security standards, such as prohibiting default or easily guessed passwords.

The festive security checklist includes prioritizing the security of smart devices, following NCSC guidelines, and activating two-step verification for crucial accounts.