Are your Smart Home Devices Spying on you?

A recent study raised concerns about the darker side of smart gadgets, suggesting that our beloved smart devices could well be spying on us and there is therefore a need to scrutinise their privacy implications.

Smart devices can range from voice-activated assistants, smart TV’s, doorbell cameras and thermostats. Whilst these gadgets promise to make our homes smarter and more responsive to our needs, a study by the consumer group Which? examined the data practices of some popular home devices and the results of this raised some unsettling questions regarding the extent to which these devices may be eavesdropping on our most private moments. Some of the key findings from this study were:

Widespread Data Sharing

A significant number of smart home devices share user data with third-party entities. This data exchange is often unbeknownst to users. It raises concerns about the extent to which companies are sharing our personal data, as well as doing so without explicit consent.

Potential for Eavesdropping

Voice-activated devices, like Alexa, are common. Smart speakers and assistants were found to be particularly susceptible to potential eavesdropping. The study revealed some eyebrow raising information. There were instances where these devices recorded and transmitted unintentional audio data.

Lack of Transparency

One of the most disturbing aspects highlighted by the study is the lack of transparency. Data practices are often obscured under mountains of text. Many smart home device manufacturers fail to provide clear and comprehensive information.

Security Vulnerabilities

The study also identified security vulnerabilities in certain smart home devices. This highlights the risk of unauthorised access to sensitive information. Inadequate security measures could potentially expose users to cyber threats.

Signs that your smart home device may have been hacked:

How can you tell if a hacker has compromised your smart home device? Here are some signs to look out for:

• Unexpected behaviour
• Unusual network traffic and unexplained data transfers
• Strange sounds or voices
• Device settings have been modified.
• Device inaccessibility
• New or unknown devices on the network
• Frequent software glitches
• Emails or messages confirming changes that you didn’t make

Key steps to navigating the smart home landscape safely:

1. Research Device Privacy Policies - Before purchasing a smart home device, carefully review the manufacturer’s privacy policy.
2. Optimise Privacy Settings - Take advantage of privacy settings offered by smart home devices. Many devices allow users to customise privacy preferences.
3. Regularly Update Firmware - Ensure that your smart home devices have the latest firmware updates installed.
4. Use Strong Passwords - Put in place strong, unique passwords for each smart home device. Avoid using default passwords.
5. Consider Offline Alternatives - Research whether you can achieve certain smart home functionalities with offline alternatives. If you can, opt for devices that operate offline or have limited connectivity.
6. Limit Voice-Activated Features - If privacy is a top concern, consider limiting or disabling voice-activated features. This reduces the likelihood of inadvertent audio recordings and potential eavesdropping.
7. Regularly Audit Connected Devices - Periodically review the smart home devices connected to your network. Seeing just how many there are may surprise you. Remove any devices that are no longer in use or that lack adequate security measures. Keep a lean and secure smart home ecosystem to mitigate your risk.

Author

Richard Huggins

Richard joined us in 1997 as an apprentice IT engineer conducting on-site installations of CAD workstations and Microsoft and Novell network environments. After a brief spell away to travel the world, he returned to work on our helpdesk supporting our CAD customers. In 2007, Richard was promoted to Support Services Manager and worked in this role until 2016 when he decided to acquire new skills and widen his IT industry knowledge and left to work as an Operational Manager for one of the UK’s Top 20 leading Information Security companies. In 2019 Richard once again returned to Symetri as Head of Support and Customer Success to further improve the Symetri customer support experience and is now responsible for the IT Solutions division.