Smart Device Safety Checklist

Guidance for checking home cameras, Alexa/Google devices, smart locks, and IoT tools.

Smart Device Safety Checklist

1. Quick Overview

Use this checklist to review smart phones, tablets, computers, and connected home devices for basic safety issues.

2. Camera Safety Checks

2.1 Check Camera Access on Phones and Tablets

• Open device Settings.
• Find the “Privacy” or “Permissions” section.
• Review which apps can use the camera.
• Turn off camera access for:
  • Apps you do not recognize
  • Apps you do not currently use
  • Apps that do not need a camera to function
• Check for any “screen sharing” or “remote control” apps and review if you still want them installed.

2.2 Check Laptop and Desktop Cameras

• Look for a physical cover or shutter over the webcam. Close it when not in use, if available.
• If there is no physical cover, consider:
  • Using a simple sliding webcam cover, or
  • Placing opaque tape over the camera when not using it.
• Open system privacy or camera settings and:
  • Review which programs can use the camera
  • Disable camera access for programs you do not need

2.3 Check Smart Home Cameras

• Identify all cameras in the space:
  • Smart doorbells
  • Indoor security cameras
  • Baby monitors
  • Robot vacuums with cameras
  • Smart displays with cameras
• Locate each device’s:
  • Brand and model
  • Associated app on a phone or tablet
  • Account used to manage it (email / username)
• Open the app for each camera and:
  • Review who has access or is listed as an authorized user
  • Check sharing settings (shared feeds, shared links, guest access)
  • Turn off any public or link-based sharing options you do not want active
• Consider turning cameras off or unplugging them in private spaces when not needed.

3. Account Sharing Audit

3.1 List All Accounts Connected to Devices

• Cloud accounts (e.g., Apple, Google, Microsoft).
• Email accounts used to sign in on devices.
• Smart home platforms (e.g., smart speaker or smart hub accounts).
• Security camera or doorbell accounts.
• Streaming accounts logged in on TVs or devices.

3.2 Check Who Has Access

• Look for:
  • “Family sharing” or “household” members
  • Secondary users on the same account
  • Shared logins or passwords written down or stored where others can access them
• For each account, consider:
  • Who knows or might know the email and password?
  • Is the account signed in on devices that other people control?
  • Is there shared access to calendars, locations, photos, or notes?

3.3 Update Login and Recovery Details

• Choose which accounts you want to keep private.
• For those accounts:
  • Update the password to something not previously used.
  • Review security questions and recovery options:
    • Check backup email addresses
    • Check phone numbers used for verification
  • Remove recovery contacts you no longer want attached.
• Check for “trusted devices” or “remembered devices” and remove devices you do not recognize or no longer use.

3.4 Review Shared Services

• Location sharing:
  • Open maps or “Find my device” apps.
  • Review who can see the device location.
  • Turn off sharing for people you do not want seeing the location.
• Shared calendars and notes:
  • Open calendar and note apps.
  • Look for shared calendars or shared notebooks.
  • Adjust sharing or unsubscribe from shared items you do not want.
• Photo and file sharing:
  • Check cloud photo storage sharing settings.
  • Review shared albums or shared folders.
  • Remove collaborators or stop sharing when preferred.

4. Wi‑Fi Network and Password Steps

4.1 Identify Your Router and Network

• Locate the Wi‑Fi router or modem-router device.
• Find:
  • Network name (SSID)
  • Default Wi‑Fi password (often on a label)
  • Router admin address (often printed on the device)

4.2 Review Who Knows the Wi‑Fi Password

• Make a quick list of:
  • People who currently know the password
  • Devices that are regularly connected (phones, laptops, TVs, cameras, game consoles, smart speakers)
• Note any former roommates, guests, or service providers who may still know or have stored the password.

4.3 Change the Wi‑Fi Password (If Desired)

• Access the router settings (usually via a web browser or router app).
• Log in with the router admin username and password (often different from the Wi‑Fi password).
• Locate the “Wireless” or “Wi‑Fi” settings section.
• Set:
  • A new network name (optional) that does not identify you personally
  • A new password that is not easy to guess and not reused from other accounts
• Save the settings and allow the router to restart if required.
• Reconnect only the devices you currently want on the network.

4.4 Consider a Guest Network

• Check if your router supports a “guest network.”
• If available, you can:
  • Use the main network for your own devices
  • Use the guest network for visitors or shared devices
• Set different passwords for main and guest networks, if that option exists.

5. Scan for Unknown or Unwanted Devices

5.1 Review Connected Devices on Your Router

• Log in to the router or router app.
• Find the list of connected devices (often under “Device list,” “Attached devices,” or “Clients”).
• Look for:
  • Names you recognize (your phone, laptop, TV, etc.)
  • Unknown names (e.g., generic “Android-XXXX,” “ESP-XXXX,” “IP-Camera,” or random codes)
• For each unknown device:
  • Check if it might match a legitimate device (printer, robot vacuum, smart bulb, etc.).
  • If you cannot identify it and have concerns, consider blocking or removing it in the router settings.

5.2 Check Phone and Tablet Device Lists

• On cloud account settings (e.g., Apple ID, Google account):
  • Open the devices section.
  • Review all signed-in devices.
  • Remove devices you do not recognize or no longer use.
• On messaging and social media apps:
  • Look for “active sessions,” “logged in devices,” or “where you’re logged in.”
  • Sign out of sessions you do not recognize.

5.3 Check Smart Home Hubs and Apps

• Open any smart home apps (for lights, locks, cameras, speakers, thermostats).
• Look for:
  • Lists of “home members,” “household,” or “shared users”
  • Devices assigned to each room or area
• Remove shared users you do not want to have access.
• Rename devices with clear labels so you can track what each one is (for example, “Bedroom Lamp,” “Kitchen Camera,” “Hall Speaker”).

6. Ongoing Smart Device Safety Habits

• Repeat this checklist on a schedule that works for you (for example, every 1–3 months).
• Before adding a new smart device:
  • Review how it connects (Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, hub)
  • Check what data it collects (location, audio, video, usage)
  • Decide which account and which network you want to use for it
• Keep device software updated where possible to receive security fixes.
• Review app and account permissions if you notice new or unexpected notifications, pop‑ups, or connections.

Recommended Articles

• Gathering Evidence of Digital and Device Activity
• Phone and Text Safety Checklist
• Online Account Security Basics
• Checking and Adjusting Location Sharing
• Understanding Covert Tracking and Device Risks