Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.The US government has initiated a significant step in improving the cybersecurity of smart home devices, identifying their potential vulnerabilities. With the rapid expansion of IoT (Internet of Things) technologies, which offer remarkable convenience, concerns about security risks have grown over the years. To address this, the White House, in collaboration with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), introduced the US Cyber Trust Mark, a voluntary cybersecurity label for smart home devices. Look out for the Cyber Trust Mark on smart home devices Image: FCC Developed in partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), this certification ensures that products meet strict cybersecurity standards. Devices that merit the mark will display it prominently on their packaging, often accompanied by a QR code. Scanning this code provides consumers with accessible information, such as changing default passwords, configuring the device securely, specifying whether software updates are automatic or manual, and learning the minimum support period. This transparency aims to certify consumers to make informed purchasing decisions while encouraging manufacturers to prioritize security to remain competitive. Think of the Cyber Trust Mark as the Energy Star label, but instead of energy efficiency, it focuses on cybersecurity. The program applies exclusively to wireless IoT devices, including smart appliances, home security cameras, fitness trackers, baby monitors, voice-activated devices, and more. …This label will help you buy safer smart home devices