Google has added its line of Nest smart home devices to its Advanced Protection Program, a security offering that adds stronger account protections for high-risk users like politicians and journalists.<\/p>\n
The program, launched in 2017, allows anyone who signs up access to a range of additional account security features, like limiting third-party access to account data, anti-malware protections and allowing the use of physical security keys to help thwart some of the most advanced cyberattacks.<\/p>\n
Google said that adding Nest to the program was a top request from users.<\/p>\n
Smart home devices are increasingly a target for hackers largely because many internet-connected devices lack basic security protections and are easy to hack, prompting an effort by states and governments to help device makers improve their security. A successful hack can allow hackers to snoop in on smart home cameras, or ensnare the device into a massive collection of vulnerable devices a botnet that can be used to knock websites offline with large amounts of junk traffic.<\/p>\n
Although Nest devices are more secure than most, its users are not immune from hackers.<\/p>\n
After a spate of reported automated attacks targeting Nest cameras earlier this year, Google began requiring that Nest users must enable two-factor authentication. Google said its systems had not been breached, but warned that hackers were using passwords stolen in other breaches to target Nest users.<\/p>\n
Other device makers, like Amazon-owned Ring, were also targeted by hackers using reused passwords.<\/p>\n
While two-factor authentication virtually eliminates these kinds of so-called credential stuffing attacks, Google said its new security improvements will add yet another layer of protection to users Nest devices.<\/p>\n
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After a spate of device hacks, Google beefs up Nest security protections - TechCrunch<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Google has added its line of Nest smart home devices to its Advanced Protection Program, a security offering that adds stronger account protections for high-risk users like politicians and journalists. The program, launched in 2017, allows anyone who signs up access to a range of additional account security features, like limiting third-party access to account data, anti-malware protections and allowing the use of physical security keys to help thwart some of the most advanced cyberattacks. Google said that adding Nest to the program was a top request from users Continue reading