Leaving the thermostat connected to the "Guest" Wi-Fi network, which is open to all guests, is the least effective action in protecting it from unauthorized access. Here is a detailed explanation:
Network Segmentation:
A guest Wi-Fi network is typically designed to provide internet access to visitors without granting access to the main network or its devices. However, if the guest network is open (i.e., no password), it poses significant security risks.
[Reference: CIS Controls, Control 13 - Network Monitoring and Defense., Unauthorized Access:, An open guest network allows anyone within range to connect, increasing the risk of unauthorized access to the thermostat. This can lead to potential misuse, tampering, or even entry points for further attacks on your network., Reference: NIST SP 800-153, Guidelines for Securing Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs)., Best Practices for IoT Devices:, IoT devices, such as smart thermostats, should be connected to a secure and encrypted network to prevent unauthorized access and ensure data privacy., Reference: OWASP IoT Top Ten, which lists “Insecure Network Services” as a major risk., Firmware Updates:, Keeping the thermostat firmware updated with the latest security patches from the manufacturer (Option A) is crucial for protecting against known vulnerabilities., Reference: Best practices for IoT device security, including regular updates., Password Management:, Changing the default password for the mobile app and thermostat upon initial setup (Option C) ensures that default credentials, which are often publicly known, are not exploited., Reference: NIST Special Publication 800-63B, Digital Identity Guidelines., Secure Network Configuration:, Enabling remote access to the thermostat only on your secure home Wi-Fi network (Option D) limits access to authorized users and devices, reducing the risk of unauthorized access., Reference: CIS Controls, Control 16 - Account Monitoring and Control., , , , , , ]
