At WWDC last year, Apple announced its intention to launch new HomeKit-compatible routers that would ensure a better connection with compatible devices. It would also give them more security. Not much has been known about these hardware since then, but thanks to a support information from the company, They have been known to be quite difficult to configure.
As they say, with all power comes great responsibility. Increasing the safety and effectiveness of HomeKit devices will make the initial steps more difficult. However, I think it is worth the initial suffering.
Some routers that are more secure as well as complicated
Apple's HomeKit system promises to turn your home into a good ally. But having more and more devices connected to Wi-Fi also means more vulnerability to friends of others. That is why Apple wants to improve the hardware through which all these transmissions pass.
Since last year Apple wants to improve the efficiency of connections and their security. However, due to what has been read on Apple's support page, their configuration will not be easy.
These routers will require each and every HomeKit device already working in your home, they will have to be disconnected and reconfigured with the new protocols. From the devices and with the application of each of them, we can choose the safest option that will guarantee that the HomeKit accessory can only interact with HomeKit through your Apple devices.
You can choose between three levels of security:
- Restricted: Very sure. The accessory can only interact with HomeKit through your Apple devices. The accessory will not connect to the internet or any local device, so third-party services such as firmware updates may be blocked.
- Automatic: Default security. The accessory can communicate with HomeKit and the connections recommended by its manufacturer.
- Without restrictions: Less safe. This setting bypasses the secure router and allows the accessory to interact with any device on the network or Internet-based service.
I imagine that in restricted the same in the home app it will inform you if a device must be updated, or the device's own app, but I would like to know if in restricted a device can also communicate with Alexa.