In a world where everything’s connected, your favorite gadgets might share more about you than you’d like. While smart devices make life convenient, they can also quietly track your every move. But don’t worry—there are ways to take back control. Let’s check out ten gadgets that might be spying on you and how you can stop it.
Smart Speakers (e.g., Amazon Echo, Google Home)
Smart speakers are designed to assist with tasks like playing music, setting reminders, and controlling other smart devices. However, these devices come equipped with microphones that can listen to conversations, raising concerns about eavesdropping. To enhance your privacy, consider muting the microphone when the device is not in use. Reviewing and deleting voice recordings stored in account settings can also help limit the collected data.
Smart TVs
Many smart TVs come with built-in cameras and microphones that enable features like voice control. While these features can be convenient, they also raise privacy concerns as the devices can collect data about your viewing habits and even track your conversations. It’s wise to turn off voice recognition features in the settings and cover the camera when it’s not in use.
Fitness Trackers (e.g., Fitbit, Apple Watch)
These fitness trackers are popular for monitoring health metrics, but on the dark side, they also gather sensitive data about daily activities, sleep patterns, and location. To safeguard your privacy, limit the data shared with third-party apps and regularly check the privacy settings within the device’s app. Disabling location tracking and GPS features when not needed is another effective strategy.
Smart Home Security Cameras
Many modern security cameras are internet-connected, making remote monitoring possible. However, this connectivity also makes them susceptible to hacking. Cybercriminals can potentially access live feeds, record footage, or even take control of your cameras. Enable two-factor authentication for your camera accounts. Regularly checking who has access to your camera feeds is also essential.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats learn your habits to optimize heating and cooling and collect data about your daily routines. To protect your privacy, review the privacy settings and limit data-sharing options. Disconnecting the thermostat from Wi-Fi when it’s not in use can also help. Consider manually adjusting the thermostat instead of using the app.
Smart Light Bulbs
Some smart light bulbs can track your usage patterns and even monitor your sleep cycles, which raises privacy concerns. To minimize tracking, use manual controls instead of app controls whenever possible. Turning off unnecessary features in the app can also help limit data collection. It’s advisable to avoid using smart bulbs in private areas like bedrooms.
Laptops
Your laptop might be one of your most trusted devices, but it’s also one of the most vulnerable to tracking. Companies might track your browsing habits, keystrokes, and even your location. To protect yourself, opt for privacy-focused browsers like Firefox and Brave. Encrypt your data and regularly scan your laptop using trusted anti-spyware software.
Smart Doorbells
Unsurprisingly, intelligent doorbells often record video footage of your front porch, which can be accessed remotely. The first thing to do is limit access to video feeds by adjusting the settings and muting notifications when you are at home. Positioning the doorbell to avoid capturing sensitive areas like windows or entrances can also help maintain your privacy.
Smart Watches
Smartwatches track health metrics and location data, which can be sensitive information if accessed by unauthorized users. To safeguard your privacy, use the privacy settings to restrict data sharing and ensure your watch is up-to-date with the latest security patches. You can also disable GPS features when they are not needed.
Mobile Apps
Many mobile apps, even those not directly related to smart devices, track your location and usage patterns without explicit consent. It is advised to review app permissions and turn off tracking features wherever possible. Using a VPN can also help mask your location and encrypt your data, adding an extra layer of security.
