Over the past decade or so, technology has been creeping further and further into our everyday lives with us now being able to control our lights, heating, TVs and even children’s toys from anywhere in the world with our mobile devices. Some of these devices can even interact with each other.
The ease of everyday tasks that these devices offer is a clear benefit to many, however, the problem with technology is that the easier it is made to use, generally, the less secure it becomes.
According to Statista, 42% of UK households contain a smart TV. Smart TVs are televisions integrated with the internet meaning you can stream online videos, look at photos, log in to social media and use apps such as Netflix and YouTube without having to switch devices.
Some televisions also have webcams and the ability to store your usage and history data in order to advertise products and programmes you might like.
Being connected to you home Wi-Fi means that your smart TV could be accessed, or hacked into without your knowledge or permission, which could lead to:
The popularity of smart speakers, such as the Google Home and Amazon Echo, has grown substantially over the past couple of years. These voice-controlled home assistants allow you to do anything from playing music and listening to the latest news, to finding out about the weather and your upcoming flight information, to controlling your Smart TV and sending information from other devices directly to your phone.
The major drawback to using smart home assistants is that they are always collecting and storing data about you, especially when you ask questions about your local area, or set a reminder for someone’s birthday. All of this information is kept so the device can assist you better in the future, but that means it is out there on the internet, vulnerable to being hacked.
As of yet, there seems to be no conclusive data on any major hackings or illegal processes taking place surrounding smart home devices. However, this is a concern of the future with more and more devices being created and more people adopting them into their homes.
The advice we would give at the moment is to take every precaution possible, as with everything you do on and off line.
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Last updated: 23 January 2020 | © KIS Bridging Loans 2024 | Terms & Conditions