Alexa, are you listening? - The Internet of Things around Us

A Blog post published by MWR Labs titled "Alexa, are you listening?" describes a recently discovered vulnerability which allows a hacker to install malware on the Amazon Echo without leaving a visible trace. For the technical specifications of the vulnerability, please find the full post here.

But what does this mean for us? In the case of the Amazon Echo, this means that someone with physical access to the device could establish a remote connection and listen to anything in the room the microphone picks up, as well as use the device for other malicious activity.
However, this is not a single case. People are becoming increasingly connected with a wide range of devices and while most of them are aware of computers being hacked, a lot of them don't think about equally securing other devices they frequently use, such as

• webcams
• security cameras
• video recorders
• printers
• baby monitors
• home lighting system

and similar devices. The question now becomes, how can we protect ourselves?
There are several steps we can take to reduce the chances of compromise. Making sure default login credentials are changed on each device and creating strong passwords create a layer of protection. Paying attention to the device manufacturer and security features can help you pick out quality devices. Finally, safeguarding your home network builds a strong defense.

Learn more with our Internet of Things Infographic!

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