Guide to securing your Smart Plug

Multiple devices and accounts can have access to your smart plug app. To review or change who has access, follow the steps below.

1. Select Me (my account) and then select Device Sharing to view all linked devices. Click on the devices to remove it. Caution
   You can also add devices to the blacklist to block them.Note: The log of linked devices could be used as evidence of someone misusing your tech. Before removing an untrusted device, consider saving screenshots of the log. This could be used as evidence for the police, should you choose to report the behaviour.

If you suspect your smart plug account is being accessed on another device, you may wish to restore all settings to factory settings. This will remove any pre-set schedules and allow you to set up your smart plug with a new account and password.

1. To reset a TAPO Smart plug to the original factory settings, press and hold the power button on the side of the plug for at least 5 seconds until the LED light blinks orange and green.

1. Download the TAPO app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and follow the steps to set up your device. You will be prompted to connect to your home Wi-Fi. Before doing so, it’s advisable you secure your home Wi-Fi. Click OK to allow TAPO access to your home network or refer to your phone settings to allow permission to join your local network.
3. For support with your Wi-Fi network, contact your network provider or refer to their website for instructions on securing your router. You can find more information on our Securing Your Wireless Systems Guide.When creating an account on your TAPO app, ensure you use a secure email address and a strong, unique password. A strong password should not include any personal information that someone could guess and should have a variety of letters, numbers and special characters.
4. You will be prompted to verify your account via email. For support securing your email account please see our Secure your emails guide.
5. To add and install your device select the + icon on your app’s home screen. Select Plugs and the model of your device. You will need to allow Bluetooth connection during set-up. TAPO will connect to your device and then confirm when the setup is complete.

You can pair your app with an Alexa or Google home device to enable voice control of your smart plug in the home.

1. Enter the Me menu and select Voice control, this will bring up a list of voice enabled devices you can connect with.
2. Select the device you are linking your smart plug with. This will take you to a visual guide which will take you through how to connect the smart plug with your Alexa or Google home system.
   

Note: Ensure you have enabled appropriate security features on the account linked with to your smart plug. This could be your Amazon account if using Alexa enabled products or your Google account). Please refer to www.refugetechsafety.org where you will find guides for these accounts and devices.

You can review the smart devices connected to your smart plug in the TAPO app on the home screen. The Smart actions menu allows you to set up routines for your connected devices and turn the devices on or off. Ensure your TAPO app is secure to prevent unwanted access to your smart home devices.

1. Select Me at the bottom of the home screen to review your account settings. Select Firmware update to check and install updates for your device. Installing updates will increase the security of the device.
   
2. You can review the smart devices connected to your smart plug in the TAPO app on the home screen. The Smart actions menu allows you to set up routines for your connected devices and turn the devices on or off. Ensure your TAPO app is secure to prevent unwanted access to your smart home devices.
3. Select Me at the bottom of the home screen to review your account settings. Select Firmware update to check and install updates for your device. Installing updates will increase the security of the device.
4. To remove a device from your TAPO app, select the device you wish to remove on your homepage and select remove.
5. In your account settings you can also manage privacy settings, including whether your data is shared. To opt out of the Experience Improvement Programme turn this option to Off. The experience improvement programme allows the app to collect data, including your phone’s IMEI number, system information, and information about your usage of the app and product. The purpose of this data collection is for the company to make improvements to their products. It is advisable to turn this Off if you believe the application is compromised and data collection will put you at increased risk.
   
6. You can edit your account details in the account settings tab which includes logging out, creating a new account and changing your password. It is advised to use a strong password and change your password regularly. A strong password should not include any personal information that someone could guess and should have a variety of letters, numbers and special characters.
7. You can edit your device settings by selecting the device and the settings wheel. This will allow you to access updates to firmware, edit the device name and manage the device location.
   
   Note: Regularly check for software updates for your device, this will ensure it has all the latest security features.
8. In the device settings menu, you can also Remove the Device from your account by selecting remove at the bottom of the screen then confirming the device removal by selecting remove again.
   

Ensure you research the model of Smart Plug you are buying or using. This includes checking negative reviews for the product.

Not all smart plugs have been recommended as safe to use. Some models have been found to pose a fire risk due to poor design features.

Others have been identified as having weak encryption. This means the plug is vulnerable to being hacked, meaning a hacker could gain full control over the plug.

Some models of smart plug have been found to reveal the user’s Wi-Fi password.