New Delhi, Dec. 8 -- Smart home devices are now part of daily life, promising convenience, automation, and more control over the home environment. But as these gadgets grow more connected, cybersecurity experts warn that some of them could unintentionally weaken home security. A closer look at commonly used smart devices reveals that certain gadgets may introduce vulnerabilities most people never think about.

Modern refrigerators with built-in screens, cameras, and shopping assistants seem futuristic, but many models rely on older Internet of Things (IoT) standards that are less secure than newer protocols like Matter or Thread.

These appliances often stay connected to Wi-Fi and may ship with default passwords. When those passwords are ...