Hack the Holidays: ways to protect yourself from getting hacked

Many are gifting electronic toys this holiday season. A valley expert warning parents of safety concerns when gifting electronics.

But before you make that purchase, here are some tips to prevent your family's tech from being hacked.

"Security is never one and done," said Matt Disher.

News Channel 3 spoke to the president of Southwest Networks on how you can be safe when gifting smart devices.

" A lot of times that software gets installed on our home computers when we are setting up that new gadget of the month," said Disher.

He said its not just smart devices that are concerning.

"Especially around the holidays we all get those emails from Amazon, UPS, FEDEX, the united postal service saying hey there has been an issue with your package click here and log in," said Disher.

Experts warning those emails can be fake and to be careful because it's just another way you can be hacked.

"Go directly to the website yourself," said Disher.

With recent smart devices and security cameras being hacked.

Southwest Networks advises:

-Don't rely on the defaults

-Create a special email for smart devices

-Change passwords preferably long passwords

-Set up a two-factor verification code

-Shut off all devices when not in use