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Start with strong, unique passwords for every device and account - not something you've recycled elsewhere - and enable two-factor authentication wherever it's available. Keep your router and all smart devices updated regularly, since those patches usually plug security holes, and consider setting up a separate network just for your smart home gadgets so they're isolated from your main computers and phones. If your setup gets complicated, a good security camera system with encrypted cloud storage beats relying on cheaper options that might be sketchy with your data. Change default credentials on anything that came with a preset username/password, because most hackers try those first.
Turn off remote access and cloud features you don't actually use - that's where most break-ins happen, not through your front door. i disabled remote login on my router years ago and haven't missed it once, even though the setup guides make it sound essential. If you really need cloud backups or remote control, use a separate account with its own strong password and 2FA, not your main smart home admin account. Seconding what others said about firmware updates, but do them manually on a schedule you control rather than leaving auto-update on - gives you a moment to think before you push something into your network.
Your network isolation matters way more than most people realize. Put your smart home devices on a separate Wi-Fi network or VLAN if your router supports it, so if someone compromises your smart speaker or camera, they can't pivot into your laptop where your banking passwords live. Does your router have guest network or VLAN options - are you comfortable diving into those settings, or would you rather keep it simpler?
Firmware updates are where most people slip up - devices sitting on default software versions are sitting ducks. Check each device's app or settings monthly (or enable automatic updates if the manufacturer offers it), because that's usually where the actual exploits live, way before anyone tries guessing your password. The isolation and password stuff matters, sure, but a patched device is harder to break into than a locked-down one running six-month-old code.
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