Secure your smart home devices, and decide who sees your meter data
Change default passwords, install updates, secure your Wi-Fi and switch off what you don't use; your meter data is yours, and nobody may use it for other purposes without your explicit consent.
Flanders
Sources checked on .
Every connected thermostat, plug or camera is a small computer on your network. Before you buy, check whether the maker updates its products regularly, and avoid very cheap devices without a recognised brand. Change the default password as soon as you install a device, and don't reuse the same password on several devices.
Install updates as soon as they appear, or turn on automatic updates. Secure your Wi-Fi with a strong password, give visitors a separate guest network, and keep your modem up to date. Switch off features you don't use, and now and then check which devices are connected and remove any you don't recognise.
Your digital meter's data is yours. The law sets who may use it, and anyone who wants it for another purpose needs your explicit consent. You decide whether the meter's user port is open and which device reads it, and any device plugged into an open port can read everything it sends. Be wary of emails, texts or WhatsApp messages in Fluvius' name asking for money or details.
Details
| Impact | Indirect · This saves no energy by itself: it is a rule, a service, a contract, or a health or safety item. How we rate impact |
|---|---|
| Estimated saving | About security and privacy rather than energy. (confidence: low) |
| Who acts | You and your landlord |
| Needs landlord's agreement | No |
| Type | Action |
| Constant or subject to change | Constant · Good practice that barely changes with new laws, prices or services. |
Do this together with
Sources
- Six habits to secure your connected devices · Safeonweb (Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium) (official source) · checked on
- Veelgestelde vragen over de digitale meter (in Dutch) · Fluvius (official source) · checked on
- Maak je digitale meter slim (in Dutch) · Fluvius (official source) · checked on