Amazon Echo - The spy in the room? 👂
Most people will have heard of Amazon's Echo. The voice activated device that does anything from tell you the weather to playing your favourite song.
You use the voice command "Alexa" to alert the device that the next thing it hears is going to be a command.
The fact that the device is listening for this prompt means it is listening 24/7 to all sounds and voices within it's detection range in order for it to spring to life.
A few people have raised concerns about the Echo constantly listening into their conversations, but others will say until it hears the command "Alexa" then it is not collecting any data.
According to The Telegraph news paper, researchers have now discovered a way to turn the Echo into an old fashioned wiretap, which would send all the recordings to the hackers computer.
The Telegraph's article says:
"The vulnerability could let cyber criminals listen to microphone recordings, see an owner's Amazon credentials, steal sensitive information, and takeover the device.
"Someone could use the hack to install malicious software on the device and turn it into a wiretap without the person who owns the Echo knowing," said Mark Barnes, one of the MWR security consultants who discovered the problem."
With the internet of things looking like the future, where everything from your toaster to your fridge is connected to the internet, it seems this type of thing will become common place.
The hack on the Echo seems fairly unlikely, as a person would need physical access to the device. Under the base of the speaker are the ports used for debugging the device and someone would need access to this in order to plant malicious software, which seems highly unlikely.
The Telegraph article did say that:
"Original Amazon Echo speakers, released in the UK last year, are affected by the vulnerability, rather than the smaller Echo Dot. Amazon has fixed the problem in newer models released in 2017"
Amazon said: "To help ensure the latest safeguards are in place, as a general rule, we recommend customers purchase Amazon devices from Amazon or a trusted retailer and that they keep their software up-to-date."
I think the fact that the Amazon Echo and other devices, such as Google Home are constantly listening to their surroundings is a sign of how open people are to giving up their privacy.
It was reported not long ago that the authorities in Bentonville had issued Amazon with a warrant, requesting they hand over any audio records from an Echo device that was in the home of suspect they had in custody. It is worth noting that Amazon did decline to do so but the fact this was an option for authorities in the first place must surly raise questions?
What do people think? Are people ok to give up their privacy for technological advances ? Or should we be more cautious and be aware of the risks to being so open with our lives and data?
The original article regarding the Echo can be found here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/08/01/amazon-echo-can-used-eavesdrop-conversations-hackers-reveal/
As usual thanks for listening
Happy Steeming Steemers and Steemettes.
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Avoid the Internet of Things
Yeah, crazy stuff indeed. Who knows how far it will all go.
While I do think all of this smart technology is tracking/watching/listening to us, I don't think it's used for anything nefarious just yet (though it likely will be). It's all used to sell us stuff. The internet ads already know to sell me stuff that I want before I want it.
Giving up your privacy is the true test. You can either go without technology or go without privacy. That's the choice.
For me the worrying part is not only is this information being collected but most of the time people don't even know it's happening. It's hidden very well in the small print (that they know no one reads) or not at all.
lol well yeah, you can't TELL people you are spying on them. You can't deny it either. I just watched the movie "The Circle" and this is pretty much what it's about.
I didn't mean spying, I meant companies using your data with your consent but it's only with your consent because it was hidden in a thousand pages of "do you agree to the terms" Spying is obtaining this information without the other person knowing, if you have told them and they have chosen not to listen (as those read me pages are set up like that) then it's not technically spying.
I'll have to have a look at that film. As usual thanks for the comments. Much appreciated.
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Thanks. Much appreciated.
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Alexa is always listening
Amazing post. It is very scary to think about!