Virtual assistants are they really safe?
Table of contents:
Do you have an Apple Homepod, Google Home or Amazon Echo at home ? Virtual assistants offer a multitude of exciting services and are downright fun to use, but they also present security risks that you should be aware of before simply installing them in your home. We will review some of them and give you some tips so you can use them safely.
Index of contents
Privacy
One of the main concerns of virtual assistant users is the degree of privacy they have. A few months ago the news was announced that Amazon stores everything that each user tells Alexa, and all the alarms went off. The company's purpose is to use this information to improve its voice recognition and search algorithms, but this has not reassured user groups. Shortly after it emerged that there is a team of Amazon employees dedicated to listening to snippets of conversations from Echo users, again with the goal of improving the algorithm. The company clarified that these conversations were not identified and that they were only random and anonymous snippets, but the possibility that these snippets revealed key personal information such as addresses or phone numbers raised concerns about a device that is already connected. listening to it in the heart of hundreds of thousands of homes. With all this in mind, and half accepting the explanations of the companies, we are going to give you some tips so that your virtual assistants are as safe as possible and you can take advantage of them in the best way.
Voice shopping
Some devices come with voice purchases enabled by default, but it may be a good idea to disable or pin them. The risk is that anyone could access your purchasing system with a couple of simple voice commands, and, even if it is a joke, they may compromise your bank account with unwanted purchases. You can disable this option from your virtual assistant's app or secure it with a four-digit pin number that only you should know. In this way, your purchases will always be private and only you can use this function of your virtual assistant.
Security
In the same way, it is essential that you deactivate the voice commands that are associated with the opening and closing of doors and the feeding of security cameras, if you have them. All these systems should be controlled manually from a terminal that only you have access to. Otherwise, an assailant could communicate with your virtual assistant from outside the door of your house, deactivate the cameras, open the door and access your property without even forcing the lock. Virtual assistants can be very useful, but it is very important that you do not give them facilities to turn against you.
Accounts
Another possible solution to the vulnerability of the voice commands of virtual assistants is to keep them associated with a separate account, without linking to your usual Google, Apple or Amazon account. All three companies have a very wide range of personal data of their users, and it is usual for us to have a whole list of contacts associated with Google or several credit card numbers linked to Amazon. The risk of a virtual assistant is greatly reduced if your associated account does not have access to this data and it is simply a 'logistics' account to manage the assistant. It's better to prevent than to cure.
VPN
Your virtual assistant is permanently connected to the internet, so it is a good idea to keep your connection protected at all times. The best way to achieve this is to connect it through a VPN that guarantees the complete encryption of your assistant's communications at all times. A VPN is a service that allows you to connect your devices to the internet through an external server that has robust security and that also masks your IP, which will help you avoid numerous tracking cookies and maintain your privacy on the internet, including when you make purchases online through Amazon or in Apple and Google stores.
Common sense
A virtual assistant, such as a computer or a mobile phone, can be an excellent tool as long as its risks are well known and it is known to be used wisely. In addition to the advice we have already given you about your safety, remember to always use your common sense and not provide key personal data through a Homepod or Echo. It is also a very good idea to educate your children to make responsible use of their devices. And finally, it never hurts if you disconnect the device from time to time to protect your privacy and that of your family as much as possible.
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