Holidays are a time when opportunistic criminals are active.

This article was written for Western Sydney Publishing and published in Dec 2025. The holiday season brings family gatherings and festive lights, but it can also attract opportunistic criminals. With many people travelling or busy with celebrations, home security is more important than ever.

Lock Down Your Wi-Fi: Your home Wi-Fi connects all your smart devices, from cameras to televisions. If your Wi-Fi is not secure, your whole house is at risk. Change the default router password and keep the firmware up to date. Ensure you use the most up-to-date Wi-Fi standard supported by your router. Wi‑Fi 6, 6E, and 7 are the safest choices because they support WPA3 encryption.

Smart security: Your front door is your primary defence, and new technology has made it even stronger. Video doorbells like Ring or Google Nest let you watch visitors in real time on your phone. They record motion and send alerts, so you can see who’s there even when you’re not home.

Update and Audit Your Devices: Review your smart home devices. Remove any you don’t use, update their software, and check app permissions. Hackers often target outdated software. Enable encryption if your devices support it.

Backup Your Computers: Back up your files and devices to an external hard drive, the cloud, or both. This keeps your data safe if it is damaged, lost, stolen, or infected with malware. If you use Windows, turn on Windows Backup to automatically back up your system to OneDrive.

Securing all Devices: If you’re going on holiday, put items like computers, laptops, and gaming consoles in a safe place. Use a lockable cupboard or keep them out of sight. For any device that requires a login, make sure to log out, as leaving it logged in can make it vulnerable.

Smart Plugs and Lights: More Than Convenience: Leaving lights on when you’re away has always helped deter burglars. Now, smart plugs and lighting systems make this even better. Set your lights to turn on and off at random times to make your home look lived in.

Cameras That Do More Than Record: Choose cameras with motion detection, night vision, and cloud storage. Some use AI to distinguish between people, pets, and cars, thereby reducing false alerts—place cameras to cover entry points and mount them high to prevent tampering.

Beware of social media oversharing: It can be tempting to share your holiday plans online, but letting everyone know you’re away can attract burglars. Wait to post travel details until you’re back home. Criminals often check social media for signs that a house is empty.

Let me wrap up by wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas filled with joy—and a safe, secure home to enjoy it in.