Tips to keep your smartened-up home safe from hackers
NEW YORK — 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 startups and noname brands may offer little or no protection. Before buying one, here are some risks to assess.
Listening in
Speakers with built-in 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. Many newer toys also come with microphones 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. Are your private conversations at home getting sent over the internet, too?
In some cases, sound recordings will only leave home when you trigger the device. You might have to speak a command phrase like “OK Google” or press a button to get the device’s attention. Check before buying to make sure a product includes such safeguards.
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.
Again, reputable brands are likely to take security seriously, but no system is perfect.
If you want to be very careful, you might want to turn the camera to face the wall when you’re home. You might also want to turn off the microphone, since it could capture background conversations. Or just unplug the camera altogether — though you’ll also have to remember to reconnect it when you leave.
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’s used daily, for instance, the landlord might suspect you have an unauthorized occupant.
Even if you own the home, these keys can leave a digital trail. In a child-custody dispute, for instance, your ex might subpoena the records to learn that you’ve been staying out late on school nights.