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If a smart-home device has stopped receiving security updates, reduce what it can access and decide whether the remaining risk is acceptable. First confirm support has actually ended for your exact model and hardware revision. Then install any final official update, disable internet-facing features you do not need, and isolate the device from computers and phones where your router allows it. These steps limit exposure; they do not fix vulnerable firmware.
1. Confirm that security support has ended
A product disappearing from store shelves does not prove its security support has ended. Find the manufacturer, exact model, and hardware revision—often printed on the device or its label—and check the manufacturer’s support page and security notices. Confirm whether security patches are still provided, and whether the app, cloud service, and remote features will continue to work.
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Install any remaining official update according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid firmware from unverified download sites. NIST explains that when manufacturers stop providing critical patches, attackers have more opportunity to exploit newly discovered weaknesses in devices that remain in use: NIST’s IoT Device Cybersecurity Requirement Catalog.
2. Reduce internet and account exposure
Review the device’s settings and companion app for remote access, unused services, and account access you no longer need. Turn off features you do not use when the product permits it. Do not configure port forwarding or otherwise expose the device’s administration interface directly to the public internet. A router firewall can help prevent direct access, but it cannot repair unsupported firmware. NIST discusses customer-provided firewall controls in its IoT cybersecurity requirements.
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- Change default or reused account passwords. Use a unique, strong password and enable multifactor authentication if the service offers it.
- Remove unused accounts and review which people or services can control the device.
- Disable remote access and port forwarding if you do not need them and the device or app allows it.
- Check whether the device can operate locally, or with connected features disabled, before changing cloud settings.
These settings reduce some routes of access; they do not guarantee that the device is safe. For example, disabling remote control may also disable functions you rely on, and a compromised account can remain a risk even when the device is isolated from other household devices. CISA’s guidance for internet-exposed assets recommends changing default passwords and replacing devices that no longer receive security support: CISA guidance on securing network infrastructure devices.
3. Put the device on a separate network
If your router supports a guest network, IoT network, VLAN, or equivalent isolation feature, place the unsupported device there rather than on the same network as everyday computers and phones. NIST recommends segmentation for known-risk IoT devices and discusses visibility into devices connected to a home network: NIST’s IoT Device Cybersecurity Requirement Catalog.
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After moving the device, test the functions you actually use. Some products need local communication with a phone, hub, speaker, or controller; a guest network may block that communication. Router behavior and device dependencies vary, so verify the settings rather than assuming that a guest network isolates everything in the same way. NIST presents segmentation as one part of home-network security, not a substitute for updates or other safeguards: NIST’s home-network security guide.
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4. Decide whether to keep or replace it
Keeping an unsupported device is a risk decision, not a setting that makes the device secure. Consider how it connects, what it controls, whether it can work locally, and whether your router can isolate it without breaking essential functions. NIST’s consumer research describes limiting an unsupported device to the home network or turning off connected capability as possible choices, depending on the device’s functions: NIST’s IoT Device Cybersecurity Requirement Catalog.
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| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Does it remain reachable through the internet or a cloud service? | More connectivity can mean more exposure; disabling remote features may reduce it if the device supports that choice. |
| Does it control entry, alarms, cameras, heating, or another important function? | Account for safety and reliability as well as cybersecurity when considering changes or continued use. |
| Can it work locally with remote access disabled? | A local-only mode may preserve useful functions while reducing dependence on outside access, if officially supported. |
| Can your router isolate it without breaking a required hub or controller connection? | Isolation is useful only if essential controls continue to work and the network feature behaves as expected. |
| Is a supported replacement available? | Replacement becomes more compelling when exposure or the consequences of compromise are unacceptable and meaningful mitigations are unavailable. |
For an internet-exposed device that no longer receives security support, CISA advises replacement. For other devices, the appropriate choice depends on exposure, available mitigations, and the harm a compromise or failure could cause: CISA guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.5. Remove the device safely when retiring it
Before giving away or disposing of a device, use the manufacturer’s product-specific reset and decommissioning instructions. Remove it from associated accounts and services, disconnect it from the network, and securely clear stored data if the product supports that. Resetting the device alone may not remove account access or cloud associations; the exact steps vary by product. NIST addresses end-of-life handling and data removal in its guidance for IoT devices: NIST’s IoT Device Cybersecurity Requirement Catalog.
Quick Recap
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- Home security at your fingertips — Use the Echo Hub to arm and disarm your compatible security system. Use the Alexa app and compatible cameras, locks, alarms, and sensors to check in while you're out.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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