WHAT ARE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SMART HOME?

Advantages

• Installing a smart home technology system provides convenience to homeowners. Instead of controlling appliances, thermostats, lighting and other features using different devices, homeowners can control them all using one device — usually a smartphone or tablet.
• Since they are connected to a mobile device, users can get notifications and updates on issues in their home. For example, smart doorbells allow homeowners to see and communicate with people coming to their home even when they are not at home. Users can set and control the indoor temperature, lighting and equipment as well.
• For the cost of providing a smart system, homeowners can benefit from significant cost savings. Appliances and electronics can be used more efficiently, reducing energy costs.

Disadvantages

• While smart homes offer convenience and cost savings, there are still challenges. Security risks and bugs continue to plague technology makers and users. Skilled hackers, for example, can gain access to smart home internet -capable devices. In October 2016, a botnet called Mirai infiltrated interconnected DVR devices, cameras and routers to take down various major websites through a denial of service attack, also known as a DDoS attack.
• Measures to reduce the risk of such attacks include protecting smart devices and devices with strong passwords, using encryption when available and only connecting trusted devices to someone’s network.
• As noted above, the cost of installing smart technology can run anywhere from a few thousand dollars for a wireless system to tens of thousands of dollars for a hard wired system. It’s an expensive price to pay, especially since there may be a steep learning curve to familiarize yourself with the system for everyone in the household.

Article credit: Investopedia