BBB Provides Home Cybersecurity Guidance to Help Consumers Protect Their Digital Lives
Clearwater, Florida – October 8, 2025 — Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers practical, consumer-friendly tips to help homeowners strengthen their cybersecurity and reduce vulnerability to digital threats during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. From securing Wi-Fi networks to protecting smart devices and educating family members about scams, these recommendations are designed to make home technology safer and more resilient.
As more households integrate connected gadgets—smart TVs, home assistants, security cameras, thermostats, and more—into everyday life, the attack surface for cybercriminals has expanded. Recognizing that many consumers may not know where to begin, BBB provides the following guidance:
- Secure your home network: Set strong router login credentials, enable WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, activate a firewall on your router, and offer a separate guest Wi-Fi network for visitors.
- Complete regular software and firmware updates: Set reminders to check for updates, ensure security patches and bug fixes are applied promptly, and keep work devices updated when working remotely.
- Protect smart home devices: Use strong passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, isolate smart home devices on separate Wi-Fi networks from computers or mobile devices that hold sensitive data, and retire unsupported hardware.
- Promote family education and safety practices: Discuss online risks and scams, establish ground rules for communication with strangers, set expectations for what can and cannot be shared online, and use parental controls across devices.
- Use trusted resources from federal and nonprofit organizations: Explore resources from CISA, the FTC, NIST, FCC, FBI’s IC3, DOJ, Family and Media, ESRB, Net Cetera and Savvy Cyber Kids for deeper insights and alerts on emerging cybersecurity threats.
BBB’s Cybersecurity HQ provides both consumers and businesses a one-stop resource for cybersecurity tips at bbb.org/cybersecurity. BBB encourages everyone to review the information, adopt the recommendations, and share them with colleagues, friends, and family.
