Security firm shows how a second-hand Amazon Echo can become a spy
- Fahad H
- Sep 20, 2018
- 1 min read
When a smart speaker aggregates customer data, or a car dashboard highlights the nearest McDonalds, the marketer and the consumer assume the devices can be trusted.
But recent research by Israeli security firm vpnMentor raises red flags about whether the Internet of Things could turn into the Internet of Spying Things.
What vulnerabilities were discovered? The company recently announced the results of work by a group of “ethical hackers” it employed in March and April of this year.
In one project, the group was able to connect an SD card reader to a first generation Amazon Echo and install malware that could listen in to the owners’ daily life or interfere with the Echo’s control of other household devices like smart locks or appliances.
The findings by VPN reveal concerning vulnerabilities in smart devices, including the Amazon Echo. This highlights the importance of securing IoT gadgets to prevent unauthorized access and potential spying. Using the Best VPN for Android TV 2025 can help encrypt data, adding an essential layer of security for connected home devices.