Any gadget that has an internet connection and can be operated by a computer or smartphone is considered a smart device. Home appliances, security cameras, thermostats, doorbells, lighting systems, and other networked gadgets are examples of such devices.
Smart devices are becoming more prevalent due to the comfort they provide. However, with this ease comes a higher risk to your privacy.
When people talk about smart gadgets, they are referring to the internet of things (IoT) and its ability to connect all of your devices together. This means that all of the data generated by each device can be viewed and shared with other connected devices, potentially exposing sensitive information about you and your home life.
Here are three ways that smart devices might jeopardise your privacy.
Location tracking
Many smart devices track and save users' whereabouts, allowing detailed profiles of their behaviours to be created. Without the user's knowledge or consent, this data can then be sold to third parties.
With smart devices like fitness trackers and smartphones, this has become a serious issue. If you're not careful, your smartphone may be sharing more information than you realise. You may believe that you have control over the data it collects, but this is not always the case.
Insecure Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is used by many smart gadgets to connect to the internet. This means that if adequate safety measures are not in place, it may be vulnerable to hackers. Hackers can gain access to your device, look into sensitive data like passwords, and even take control of it.
Hackers have been known to hijack smart devices via Wi-Fi connections and use them to launch cyber-attacks. This is especially important if you travel with smart gadgets such as phones or laptops, as they may connect to unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
Webcam vulnerabilities
Smart devices frequently include built-in cameras and microphones that can be hacked to gain access to the user's audio and video records. This has been a major problem in recent years, with cases of "webcam hacking" growing steadily.
People are increasingly installing cameras in their doorbells, baby monitors, and even televisions. All of these can be hacked into if the user does not take proper safety measures.
For example, in some cases, hackers have taken over security cameras and utilised them to spy on unsuspecting individuals in their homes. This is an extreme example of a privacy infringement that can be avoided with adequate safety measures.
Bottom line
Smart devices can be a wonderful addition to the home, but you must be aware of the risks that they involve. They can violate your privacy in a variety of ways, including targeted attacks, location tracking, real-time recording, and so on.
Furthermore, flaws in your connectivity solution can expose your devices, data, and family or customers to cyber-attacks. Understanding the threats and implementing the required security measures will help you secure your privacy. Early intrusion detection is the most successful method of preventing cyber-attacks, and this is still true in the Internet of Things era.
