As electronics OEMs add an Internet to connection to a variety of products from refrigerators and thermostats to wearable devices, consumers are more connected than ever before…and more at risk for security breaches. Keeping best practices in mind becomes critical. 

The potential, as well as the potential problems, will continue to grow. Automobiles, homes, and even roads will be gathering data.  Consider these statistics from The Motley Fool:

• By 2019, tech companies will ship 1.9 billion connected devices, a number that will generate $490 billion in revenue.
• Today, just 8% of consumers own and use wearable tech, but that number will jump to 28% by the end of the next year.
• In five years, 28% of U.S. consumers will own smart refrigerators and smart watches.
• Sixty percent of Americans say they are willing to share data from their car with the vehicle's manufacturer if they are compensated with a single free maintenance service.
• Gartner predicts that one in five vehicles on the road will have some form of wireless connection by 2020.

Distribution giant Avnet created the infographic below to outline some basics of securing this avalance of new products. Take a look and let us know what you would add to the list in the comments section below.

— Hailey Lynne McKeefry, Editor in Chief, EBN

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