We’re all connected. That’s not just some warm and fuzzy expression of sentiment, it’s the reality of the digital world we inhabit. That connection provides great benefits, but can also leave us vulnerable to those who would prey on any exposed weakness. Hackers and other bad actors are targeting unprotected networks to attack and hijack our personal devices for use in criminal activity.

Consider that experts are saying that attacks using the Internet of Things (IoT) jumped by 280%, as hackers become ever-savvier. The problem has become pervasive enough that the U.S. Department of Commerce has moved to set standards for security.

Do you know how to protect your safety and security online when you’re connected to smart devices? First, recognize that our personal and professional environments include the use of technology in nearly every area, and we have entered an era in which all of those devices are designed to connect to the internet. By now, most of us are aware of the risks in connecting online and have taken precautions to secure our computers and mobile devices. That’s an important step, but it’s only the beginning.

Many continue to overlook the risks of using other internet connected devices without taking proper security measures. If you think that this doesn’t necessarily apply to you yet, consider that you likely already have smart devices designed to connect to the internet throughout your home.

There are dozens of different IoT devices, and owners may not even be aware that they have them. These devices include digital media players — such as internet-enabled television sets and Blu-ray players — gaming consoles, home security monitoring devices, smart baby monitors, internet-enabled appliances and temperature control systems.

What are the risks of having these devices? When unsecured, hackers and other bad actors are capable of exploiting vulnerabilities to attack individual devices. These attacks can be designed to install ransomware, invade your privacy or take control of the device to launch secondary attacks on organizations through command and control denial-of-services (DDoS) attacks.

So, what can you do to protect yourself when using smart devices? Here are some strategies to consider.