Many households welcome guests, relatives, or returning students during December. This creates a unique cyber risk that most people never consider. Every additional person brings new devices, different security habits, and a level of unpredictability that can overwhelm even a normally well-managed home network.
Shared environments are not inherently unsafe. The problem is that security expectations vary widely. A visitor may connect a device that has not been updated for months. Someone might install entertainment apps on a shared tablet and unknowingly grant permissions that expose personal information. Children often download games during the holidays, and these can include aggressive data-collection features. When several people use the same Wi-Fi network, the weakest device can introduce risk for everyone.
The OxCyber View: As the central cyber cluster for Thames Valley, we see that the lack of visibility over guest devices is a major threat vector for small businesses and home offices.
There are three areas that typically cause issues in shared homes:
1. Unknown Devices on the Network
Most routers allow any device to join automatically unless restrictions are set. This means a visitor’s old phone or an unpatched game console can join your network instantly. A single compromised device can give an attacker visibility of the entire network. Many households realise too late that they have never reviewed their list of connected devices or created separate, isolated networks for guests.
2. Shared or Borrowed Accounts
Streaming services are frequently used during the holidays, and people often share logins for convenience. Once an account is logged in on a visitor’s device, it may remain active long after they leave. This can expose personal profiles, stored card details, or private viewing history. The same applies to cloud storage apps, where a forgotten sign-in can leave sensitive documents accessible on an un-managed third-party device.
3. Relaxed Security Behaviour
People naturally focus less on device safety when the house is busy and the atmosphere is festive. Phones are left unlocked on kitchen tables, laptops are shared informally, and children often use family devices unsupervised. These small lapses create opportunities for accidental changes to privacy settings or the installation of unverified software. The physical security lapses (unlocked screens, visible passwords) are just as dangerous as technical flaws during busy periods.
Simple Steps for Hosting a Cyber-Safe Christmas
Fortunately, managing this risk is simple and effective.
• Create a Guest Wi-Fi Network: This is non-negotiable. Isolate all visitor devices (including smart toys and consoles) onto a separate, sandboxed network. This prevents a visitor’s compromised device from accessing your home office laptop or smart financial devices.
• Log Out, Log Out, Log Out: Require guests to manually sign out of all shared accounts (Netflix, Prime, Spotify, etc.) from their devices before they leave. Check and change the passwords on high-risk, shared accounts (like streaming services) a day or two after they depart.
• Enable Screen Locks: Set a one-minute auto-lock on all sensitive devices. This prevents curious hands from accidentally accessing or altering critical settings.
Enjoy the festive season, but keep your home network secure!
