US-CERT Offers Tips for Securing Internet-Connected Holiday Gifts

The Department of Homeland Security's US-CERT has welcomed the new year with advice to those who received Internet-connected devices as holiday gifts.

In a US-CERT alert issued Dec. 28, the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), part of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), provided consumers with several security steps to take with their new Internet of Things devices.

Consumers should create strong passwords for their devices, and then to carefully evaluate all security settings. Make sure that software and firmware is fully patched and up to date, and remember that the Internet is a big (virtual) place that's not always friendly, so connections should be made with care, according to the US-CERT alert.

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