A smart speaker has long ceased to be just a speaker. For many, it is already a home assistant that turns on music, answers questions, controls lights and appliances. But there is also a downside to this. The police warned that attackers can use smart speakers to spy on potential victims.
Smart speakers are often found in bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms. They are connected to phones, TVs, lamps and sockets. Hackers are increasingly interested in smart speakers and other voice assistants, law enforcement officials said.
Kaspersky experts warn that such devices can be used to spy on users, including Russians.
It is not easy to recognize a hack directly, but there are several signs that may indicate it. One of them is when the speaker "wakes up" on its own and activates without a command. You should also be wary if the device performs actions that residents did not request, for example, turns on music, makes calls and launches other functions without a command.
You can also pay attention to activity in the account. The appearance of unfamiliar actions or devices in the user's history is a reason to check settings and access.
If there is a suspicion that the speaker may have been hacked, the police advise first of all to disconnect the device from the Internet or power. Then you should change the password for your account, check the list of connected devices and delete everything unfamiliar. It is also recommended to update the firmware and application to the latest versions.
At the same time, smart speakers also have false positives. The device may be activated due to similar words, background noise, television or conversations nearby. But if such situations are repeated and accompanied by other strange signs, it is better to check the security of the device and account.
