Beware of the smart device: Ways to stay private and safe


A second generation Echo controls the blinds as well as televisions and lighting at an Amazon Experience Centers model home in Dallas, Texas. Many of these Internet-connected speaker devices listen constantly for commands and connect to corporate servers to carry them out. — AP

NEW YORK: Did someone invite a spy into your home over the holidays? Maybe so, if a friend or family member gave you a voice-controlled speaker or some other smart device.

It's easy to forget, but everything from Internet-connected speakers with voice assistants such as Amazon's Alexa to television sets with built-in Netflix can be always listening – and sometimes watching, too. As with almost all new technology, installing such devices means balancing privacy risks with the conveniences they offer.

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Tech News

Tesla driver in Seattle-area crash that killed motorcyclist told police he was using Autopilot
Spurred by teen girls, US states move to ban deepfake nudes
DR Congo accuses Apple of using ‘blood minerals’ from war-torn east
German police swoop on Nigerian dating scammers
74-year-old US woman charged in armed robbery of credit union was scam victim, family says
In which country do people spend the most time on screens?
How streaming is boosting esports
LG Energy Solution to minimise capex this year due to slow EV demand
SK Hynix expects full chip recovery after Q1 earnings surprise on AI boom
Cisco says hackers subverted its security devices to spy on governments

Others Also Read