# 10 Easy Privacy Habits for Smart Home Devices (Industry News Brief) > A recent CNET roundup shares simple privacy tricks smart home owners can use to protect their data. Here is our take on why these habits matter, and how professionally installed security fits into the picture. - URL: https://mfpgsecurity.com/resources/10-easy-privacy-habits-for-smart-home-devices-industry-news-brief - Category: Industry News - Author: Wesley Tan, Professional Monitoring Specialist - Published: 2026-09-12 - Reading time: 2 min - Keywords: smart home privacy tips, smart home security, privacy settings smart devices, ADT authorized dealer, home automation privacy --- Smart homes make life easier, but every connected device is also a small data collector. A recent CNET feature walked through personal privacy habits one tech writer uses at home, from muting smart speakers to locking down app permissions on cameras and doorbells. It is a good reminder that convenience and privacy do not have to be at odds, as long as you build a few habits into how you set up and manage your devices. At MFPGSecurity, an ADT Authorized Dealer, we talk with homeowners every week who love their smart cameras, video doorbells, and voice assistants but have never actually opened the privacy settings menu. Here is our take on the habits worth adopting, and why professional monitoring makes this easier rather than harder. ## Start With the Basics: Permissions and Access Most smart home apps ask for far more access than they need, location data, microphone access, contact lists. The CNET piece rightly points out that reviewing app permissions on your phone is one of the fastest ways to cut down on unnecessary data sharing. We recommend doing this quarterly, not just at setup. The same goes for who has access to your system. Shared logins, old guest codes, and forgotten app installs on a previous phone can all become quiet backdoors into your home network. A simple audit of users and devices tied to your smart home account closes a lot of gaps. ## Cameras and Microphones Deserve Extra Attention Indoor cameras and smart speakers are the most sensitive devices in most homes because they can see and hear what happens inside. Physical privacy shutters, mute buttons, and scheduled "off" windows for indoor cameras are simple, low-tech solutions that do not require any special expertise. This is one area where professionally installed systems have an advantage. With MFPGSecurity and ADT-monitored equipment, cameras and sensors are configured correctly from day one, with clear documentation of what is recording, when, and who can view the footage. That is a meaningfully different experience than piecing together several consumer gadgets from different brands, each with its own app and its own privacy defaults. ## Two-Factor Authentication Is Non-Negotiable Enabling two-factor authentication on every smart home and security app is one of the simplest, highest-impact steps a homeowner can take. It is quick to set up and dramatically reduces the risk of an outside party accessing your cameras or door locks, even if a password gets leaked elsewhere. ## Network Hygiene Still Matters A separate guest network for smart devices, strong router passwords, and regular firmware updates were all mentioned in the original piece, and they remain some of the most overlooked pieces of smart home security. Devices that are not updated regularly are far more vulnerable to known exploits. ## Our Perspective: Privacy and Professional Monitoring Work Together Some homeowners assume that a monitored security system means less privacy, since a company is involved in watching your home. In practice, it is often the opposite. A professionally installed system from an ADT Authorized Dealer like MFPGSecurity comes with clear account ownership, defined user permissions, and support from a technician if something looks off, rather than a stack of disconnected apps each with their own settings to manage alone. If you want a walkthrough of your current setup or are thinking about adding monitored cameras, locks, or sensors the right way, our team is happy to help. Learn more about how we approach these installations on our About Us page, or browse more guidance in our resources section. You can also reach us directly at 833-842-0818. Small privacy habits, paired with a professionally installed and monitored system, go a long way toward keeping your smart home both convenient and genuinely secure. _Source: [www.cnet.com](https://www.cnet.com/home/security/your-home-needs-these-headache-free-privacy-boosts/)_ ## Get a Free Quote Ready to protect what matters most? Get a free, no obligation quote on a professionally installed ADT home security system with 24/7 monitoring from MFPGSecurity. [Request your free quote](/) or call [833-842-0818](tel:8338420818) to talk with a security specialist today. ## FAQ ### Does a monitored security system reduce my privacy? Not when it is set up correctly. Professionally installed systems from an ADT Authorized Dealer come with clear account ownership and defined user access, which often gives homeowners more control over their data than a mix of separate consumer apps. ### What is the single easiest privacy step for a smart home? Enabling two-factor authentication on every smart home and security app is quick to do and significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access. ### How often should I review my smart home app permissions? We recommend a quarterly review of app permissions, connected users, and device access, especially after getting a new phone or adding new smart home products. ## Sources - CNET: The 10 Privacy Tricks I Use Around My Own Smart Home (and Why You Need Them): https://www.cnet.com/home/security/your-home-needs-these-headache-free-privacy-boosts/ --- Published by MFPGSecurity, https://mfpgsecurity.com (ADT Authorized Dealer). Call 833-842-0818.