Security in a Loxone Smart Home – Part 4: Privacy protection


22nd March 2018 in Know How

Security has many facets –
the Loxone Smart Home covers them all

In your home, you can feel completely safe. It deters burglars for you, watches over the whole family, protects itself and preserves your privacy.

In our fourth part of the security story series, we’re looking at the protection that is more important today than ever. And that’s:

Privacy protection

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Everyone has the right to privacy and the protection of their personal data.

It’s a personal right that Loxone considers and protects 100%, because when it comes to the data of our customers, we follow a strict principle:

Your smart home, your data

Keep your data safe:
the Loxone Miniserver

The Loxone Smart Home keeps your data where it belongs – on your Miniserver. The Miniserver is the central device – the brain – of your smart home, on which your data is stored and processed.

Unlike other systems (IFTTT, Siri, Alexa), there is no storage or processing of your data in a cloud. Sensitive data, such as the number of people at home, schedules, camera images of door intercom systems, the status of the alarm system, etc. remain in your own four walls.

Takes care of tasks, even without the Internet

Try it for yourself!
Your Loxone Smart Home works without an internet connection. All you need to do is operate your Miniserver on the local network. Functions such as remote access, e-mail delivery, online weather data and push notifications will not be available due to the lack of internet connection, however, you can still enjoy all the other advantages in terms of comfort, safety, and energy efficiency, without restriction.

Authentication exclusively via Miniserver

The registration of the Miniserver takes place exclusively over the Miniserver itself. A Loxone Web account (used for making purchases in our webshop) has no connection with the login details for a Loxone Miniserver.

For many smart home solutions, which, unlike Loxone, are operated via a cloud, access is via login on one side of the manufacturer. This login can become a central point of attack. In the Loxone system, there is no central node that can be cracked to gain access to all Miniservers. This means that Loxone has no access to the customers’ Miniservers.

Each Loxone Smart Home system is protected individually by the security mechanisms of the Miniservers and the general network security – which is in the hands of the user. Network security is a very important topic for the smart home. If this is neglected, absolute data security is uncertain. For this reason, choosing secure access data is essential!

Authentication exclusively via Miniserver

The registration of the Miniserver takes place exclusively over the Miniserver itself. A Loxone Web account (use for making purchases in our webshop) has no connection with the login details for a Loxone Miniserver.

For many smart home solutions, which, unlike Loxone, are operated via a cloud, access is via login on one side of the manufacturer. This login can become a central point of attack. In the Loxone system, there is no central node that can be cracked to gain access to all Miniservers. This means that Loxone has no access to the customers’ Miniservers.

Each Loxone Smart Home system is protected individually by the security mechanisms of the Miniservers and the general network security – which is in the hands of the user. Network security is a very important topic for the smart home. If this is neglected, absolute data security is uncertain. For this reason, choosing secure access data is essential!

Choosing safer access data

The best way to keep your data safe is by taking steps to make it more difficult for others to get hold of. That starts with choosing a username and a strong password that are kept secret.

The basic rule for a secure password is: Use at least twelve characters, uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. For example: “Xc66gsRc%uYu”

“123456” or simply “password”, on the other hand, are easy to guess and are (shockingly) one of the most widely used passwords worldwide.

If the password is the weakest link in the chain, any effort for more security is fruitless. That’s why we take steps to help keep customers secure. For example, remote access via the Loxone DNS service with standard user data is not possible.

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100% secure & with appreciation of your privacy: Online Services

Loxone Online Services enrich your smart home with additional services or data from the online world. The use of these services is entirely in your hands, and it’s up to you whether you wish to use them or not.

If you opt for our online services, only the most necessary data will be communicated to our servers during use. This includes the serial number of the device, in order to make sure in online services, that this service is also enabled for the respective device. Or the IP address, so you can find your Miniserver over the Internet with changing IP address. (Of course, this service is completely anonymous and if desired, DNS services of other providers can be used!) Therefore neither data about your usage habits nor statistics are stored.

The smart home that works without the cloud!

The Loxone Smart Home proves that intelligent home control is possible even without a data cloud, and without any restrictions in functionality or operation. Thanks to this special approach, in which the Miniserver brings everything in the house together at one central location, a Loxone Smart Home is much more powerful than many IoT devices and gadgets, which aren’t able to offer the same reliability and functionality.

Ongoing improvements – for your safety

We’re not the type to rest on our laurels. We believe that it’s important to continue making ongoing improvements and adjustments to ensure our solution remains as secure as possible. That’s why security updates are an integral part of our regular software updates. For this reason, and for the most reliable security, we recommend that you always use the latest version of the software and, most importantly, ensure you’re using strong, secure passwords.

Request the latest update from your trusted Loxone Partner now!

Ongoing improvements
– for your safety

We’re not the type to rest on our laurels. We believe that it’s important to continue making ongoing improvements and adjustments to ensure our solution remains as secure as possible. That’s why security updates are an integral part of our regular software updates. For this reason, and for the most reliable security, we recommend that you always use the latest version of the software and, most importantly, ensure you’re using strong, secure passwords.

Request the latest update from your trusted Loxone Partner now!

Watch the video for part 4 now:

Other security features

From intelligent presence simulation to self-contained building protection, discover all the security features of the Loxone Smart Home.

Experience security in a Real Smart Home

Come and experience the power of the Loxone Smart Home at our show facilities just outside Reading, Berkshire. To book your place on one of our free info sessions, simply click the button below.