From toothbrushes to slow cookers to toys, Wholesale Vacuum space bags if companies can dream it up, it's out there. That might not be practical for smartphones these days, but do you really need a smart speaker or a television set that's connected to the internet? (As it turns out, it's actually difficult to buy a TV without "smart" capabilities these days, but nothing says you have to connect it at home. Just remember, your phone won't get any calls while it's in the bag - that's the whole point. They are all vulnerable to hacking or programming errors, and there's nothing consumers can do to eliminate the risks short of unplugging entirely. Checking reputable online reviews, how-to guides and even instructional videos will help you get the most out of new technologies.There are ways to minimise the odds that gadgets will serve up unpleasant privacy surprises. (Representational image) Revelations that an Amazon Echo smart speaker inadvertently sent a family's private conversation to an acquaintance highlights some unexpected risks of new voice-enabled technologies. The downside is that users are often unaware of all the things their gadgets can do, good or bad. The good ones will block cellular and other signals, meaning privacy-compromising information such as your location won't leak out either. Companies often release smart gadgets without thinking through the risks and ensuring their security.
BLOCK THE SIGNALSFor smartphones and other gadgets you carry with you, a "Faraday bag" that blocks electromagnetic waves can help prevent unwanted spying.Of course, the safest approach is not to buy a new gadget in the first place. If you have a home-security camera that's connected to the internet, turn the camera to the wall when you're home. Gadgets these days come loaded with microphones and cameras. You can hit that when you're having sensitive conversations.Amazon blamed the situation on an "unlikely" string of events, and the company already has many privacy safeguards built into the device. This is especially true with manufacturers that aren't well known or that specialise in toys and other non-tech businesses.. If the Echo can't hear you, it won't be able to order you more toilet paper or play smooth jazz. This makes them easy targets for malicious hackers.BE INFORMEDApple, Samsung and other tech companies have worked over the years to ensure that their products work "out of the box," without users having to pore through lengthy manuals and operating instructions.But there are ways to minimize the odds that gadgets will serve up unpleasant privacy surprises:KILL THE MICMost smart speakers have a physical button to disable the microphone, so a private conversation can't be recorded, to begin with. It doesn't make sense to keep the mic disabled throughout the day, though.LIMIT THE MICDisabling the microphone isn't practical on a smartphone, but you can limit what apps have access to it. Just remember to turn it back before you leave, or you defeat the point of having a security camera. That conversation in a home in Portland, Oregon, was then recorded and sent to an acquaintance in Seattle on the family's contact list. The button on the Echo will turn red; other devices have similar cues. They'll also tell you about any known glitches and risks.
Netflix doesn't really need voice access; you can simply type the name of the show you're searching for. Buy yourself a roll. Gadgets these days come loaded with microphones and cameras. Or use bandages. Go to the settings and turn off mic access to all but essential apps such as voice recorders or video conferencing. They are all vulnerable to hacking or programming errors, and there's nothing consumers can do to eliminate the risks short of unplugging entirely. Yet the incident shows that even with the best intentions, the risk is never zero.ABOUT THAT CAMERAFacebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg famously puts a piece of tape over his laptop's camera to prevent spying if anyone were to hack his device.According to Amazon, the Echo's Alexa voice assistant misheard a word as "Alexa" - a trigger to activate the device - and interpreted subsequent conversation as a "send a message" request
留言列表
