Is your new house smart? You could be on a hacker’s vigil
More people are getting voice- activated speakers and other smart devices for convenience and security. But doing so could also be giving hackers a key to their homes. Many devices from reputable manufacturers have safeguards built in, but those can't guarantee against hacks. Gadgets from start- ups and noname brands may offer little or no protection. Before buying one, here are some risks to assess.
LISTENING IN
Speakers with builtin microphones are increasingly popular. Devices such as Amazon's Echo and Google Home let people check the weather or their personal calendar with simple voice commands. Beyond that, many smart TVs and TV streaming devices now have voiceactivated functions, often for playback controls and video search. Many newer toys also come with microph ones so kids can talk to them and get canned responses.
Many of these devices are constantly listening for your commands; when they receive them, they connect to corporate servers to carry them out. What if you're having private conversations at home? Are they getting sent over the internet, too? In some cases, sound recordings will only leave home when you trigger the device. Check before buying to make sure a product includes such safeguards.
Some gadgets go further.
Smart speakers, for instance, typically have a mute button to disable the microphone completely. Amazon says its mute function involves disconnecting the circuit, so that hackers cannot override the intent.
But there's no easy way for consumers to verify manufacturer promises, such as Amazon's assertion that the Echo never transmits recordings to the cloud unless it's been activated.
WATCHING YOU
Online security cameras such as the Cam IQ, from Google sibling company Nest, let you check in on your pets or kids when you're not home. They also typically store video online, so you can see whether your housekeeper actually cleaned the kitchen last week. Some services routinely send video to online storage; others do so only when triggered by a sound or motion.
DIGITAL TRAILS
Smart locks let you unlock doors with an app, so you can let in guests even when you're not home. Burglars might try to hack the system, though it's often easier for them to just break a window. Some rental properties are also turning to smart locks to control access. When you move out, the landlord can automatically disable your digital key. But these systems also let landlords track your whereabouts and those of your guests. If you create a guest key that is used on daily basis.