How to Minimize Privacy Risks from Smart Gadgets

Smart Gadgets are prone to Security Risks

As the number of smart gadgets keep increasing, they make our homes smarter and lives easier. On the flip side, the smart gadgets are prone to security risks thus making them vulnerable to hacking.
There are a number of smart gadgets that have become vulnerable and prone to security risks. The Amazon Echo smart speaker had sent a private conversation to an acquaintance thus increasing the risk of the new voice-enabled technology.

Another smart gadget in the form of a smart doll which was seemingly a harmless toy was in fact a security risk. The smart gadget was used by hackers to intercept conversations over the connection.

A smart car too is not free from security risks. According to security researchers, the common car gadgets were vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The telematic control unit (TCU) are used for navigation, voice and data communication. The researchers were able to attack one of the TCU gadgets which was basically used to track per-mile insurance. The device that was installed in the car enabled them to hack into the car’s systems thereby taking complete control of all the functions of the car.

Let us take into account another smart gadget like the smart fridge. It is easy to get all the information regarding the user’s Gmail. A hacker can intercept all communications over a compromised internet connection. The home network that is connected to the smart fridge becomes vulnerable. According to the security researchers, a flaw in the SSL integration makes it easy for the hackers to access the network and in turn keep a track on all the activity linked to the user name and password that connects the fridge to the Gmail.

Various ways of protecting the smart gadgets from cyber attacks 

There are a few ways to ensure that your smart gadgets are safe from hackers. We can adopt certain practices to make our homes and personal data safe.

Our primary goal is to ensure that the network that enables all the smart gadgets is secure. Make sure that you do not connect to open or any public Wi-fi. On your home Wi-fi, enable password protected access. In case you have a default password on a router, make sure to change it.

On all the smart gadgets that are connected, make sure that all the operating systems are updated.
Get a secure router where the network security is enhanced.

Buy smart gadgets with added security. 

If the smart gadget that you are using is a smart speaker, then you can turn off the microphone button so that any private conversations are not prone to attacks.

In the case of smartphones you can turn off the mic access to all the apps except those apps used for video conferencing or voice recorders.

You can cover the camera of your smart gadgets like laptops or smartphones to prevent spying. The security camera in the house can be turned towards the wall when you are at home.

Since we are in an age where smart gadgets have become a part of our daily lives, we should make sure that we buy devices after checking out the reviews and also check out videos that will keep you aware of the security risks and glitches.