Technology has come a long way, and these days is continually trending toward greater levels of convenience backed by greater levels of automation. By taking user input out of the equation as much as possible, large tech companies appeal to wider and wider audiences.

When it comes to a user’s personal privacy, that’s often an afterthought (if these companies even think of it at all), or an easily-filled pothole on the smooth road to convenience. In the case of smart listening devices, is it worth sacrificing your freedom and privacy for a slice of easy street?

What are Smart Assistants?

Digital assistants can be traced back to the PDAs of the late 90’s and early 00’s. There are likely many older and more experienced folks who would still recognize the name “Palm Pilot”. While many of these devices undoubtedly paved the way for modern smartphones, they are hardly related to the privacy-encroaching tendencies of the plastic rectangles we sport in our pockets today.

Smart listening technology interprets a user’s words into commands for the device to execute. Simply put, saying something as simple as “Set a three minute timer” will immediately start a countdown clock, and after an “Add spring rolls to my shopping cart”, you’ll find yourself ready to check out and cook dinner.

Examples of smart assistants

Yes, most likely your smartphone contains this smart listening technology. You may have never really utilized it, but even something as simple as text-to-speech is taking advantage of this tech. 

In recent years, this same technology has birthed a multitude of smart devices, each with the capability to listen and interpret your commands. The most common of these are what are sometimes called “Smart Assistants”. Popular brands of these devices include: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple’s HomePod, and even something like Microsoft Copilot falls into the mix.

What are the Risks?

See if you’ve ever noticed something like this happen: you’re having a conversation with a friend about some obscure topic. Let’s say kayaks. The only other thing in range of hearing you is your phone. Later, when you’re browsing online, you start seeing ads for kayaks. You’ve never googled “kayaks for sale” or anything like that, and yet here you are suddenly seeing ads for them.

This is a prime example of how the tech on your phone was listening without your consent and influencing what ads were then served to you.

If this alarms you, just wait until you hear about all the things Alexas and their ilk get up to.

Data collection

One of the primary concerns with these devices is how they are constantly harvesting data on their users. Of course, they will claim that none of this makes it past them to advertisers or data miners, but do you really want to trust big tech companies on something like that? 

Another common phrase you’ll see is something akin to “Help us develop new features” or “Improve your user experience”. While you may see some of those benefits, it’s always going to be at your own expense. By agreeing to similar terms you are effectively signing away your privacy and allowing them free reign of your personal life.

What would you do if you got a knock on your door one day and outside is a man or woman with a camera, tape recorder, and notepad. They’ll ask if they can quietly sit in the corner of your family room or perched on your kitchen counter. All they ask is to allow you to take as many pictures, notes, and recordings as they please. “You won’t even notice I’m there,” they promise.

That’s almost exactly what you’re agreeing to by bringing a smart assistant into your home.

Security

Besides the privacy aspect, these devices will have to be hooked up to your wifi network in order to broadcast. This means that if the device was ever hacked or compromised, a cybercriminal now has access to the rest of your home.

On the flip side of that, say one of your other devices gets compromised. A savvy hacker may then be able to take control of your smart speaker, allowing them to harvest and sell everything it hears you say.

Scams

Yes, there are scams linked to using these devices. This one is perhaps one of the most devious of all in that it doesn’t really have anything to do with the actual security or integrity of the device itself. This one relies on scammers setting up fake support websites, phone numbers, and help desks.

Then, when you ask your device to look up a customer support line for your issue, the scammers have ranked their results high enough that it takes those as gospel and spits the info back at you.

A lot of users don’t think twice about the search results their digital assistant brings them, and will happily click on the first option.

How Can I Make My Device Safer?

So, let’s assume you’ve read everything to this point and you still want a smart assistant. Are you just going to have to toss your privacy to the wind?

Luckily, there are some things you can do.

1. Adjust the device’s settings

Each of these smart assistants will have settings (typically accessible via a mobile app) that allow you to disable certain features, limit what kinds of things it can harvest, and even set active hours or schedules.

It’s always worth taking a few minutes to poke around in the device’s settings before you’re ready to actually use it.

2. Secure the network

Depending on how you want the device to interact with your household, you should consider putting it on its own network, or at least segregating it from your more important devices such as personal computers. In this way, even if a hack occurs, you’ll have an extra layer of protection.

3. Unplug it

For physical devices, this is the best thing you can do. As long as the device is unplugged, there’s no way it can listen to you. Sometimes, you may want to just unplug it if you’d rather it not overhear something, or simply to give yourself a break. 

Just be sure to plug it back in when you’re ready to use it!

iDefend Can Help You With Your Smart Devices

Fortunately, iDefend members enjoy access to an expert support team who are always happy to help you lock down your home. With a simple phone call, they’ll be able to assess and develop an action plan to help you get your digital security and privacy up to snuff.

Learn more and get protected today! Try iDefend risk free and save 30%.