{"id":89021,"date":"2018-05-23T06:00:23","date_gmt":"2018-05-23T13:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/securingtomorrow.mcafee.com\/?p=89021"},"modified":"2025-08-30T03:42:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T10:42:24","slug":"dirty-little-secrets-protected-data","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/mobile-security\/dirty-little-secrets-protected-data\/","title":{"rendered":"America\u2019s Dirty Little Secrets: Opening the Door to Protected Data"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s 2018. Digital assistants have started taking over our homes, with adoption growing tenfold. These smart speakers know everything about us, from our shopping habits to our music tastes \u2014 they likely know more about our daily lives than we do. This ever-growing, ever-changing relationship between humans and devices highlights the importance of protecting data \u2013 verbal or otherwise \u2013 in the home. With connected devices using our personal data to be the most comprehensive in-home assistants possible, we need to prioritize Internet of Things (IoT) security, awareness and the implications of using such devices.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s estimated that by 2022, over half of U.S. households<\/a> will have at least one smart speaker in their home \u2014 that\u2019s over 70 million households, topping 175 million installed devices. These devices are aimed at making our lives easier and more convenient than ever before, but to do so they require that we willingly share access to our personal and private information. Whether it\u2019s banking and home address stored directly on the device, or learnings it\u2019s picked up from our conversations, the amount of private data that these devices carry opens up a new array of threats. New research from McAfee reveals that 60% of Americans have considered their digital assistants could be recording or listening to them. If so, what are the security implications of using a digital assistant?<\/p>\n

From answering a quick question to ordering items online, controlling the lights, or changing thermostat temperature, digital assistants have become a pseudo-family member in many households, connecting to more IoT things than ever before. But if one of these devices is breached, it can open up an entire home Wi-Fi network and our valuable information could get into the wrong hands<\/a>. Beyond this, many Americans have developed a very personal relationship with their devices, with 50% admitting to being embarrassed if friends or family knew what questions they asked their digital assistants. Now imagine if any of that information fell into the hands of cybercriminals \u2014 it could open the door to your personal data and threaten your family\u2019s security.<\/p>\n

In addition to the sensitive data that our smart speakers have stored, and the conversations they may or may not be recording, there are other security risks associated with this technology in the home. In 2016, it was determined that music or TV dialogue could take control of our digital assistants with commands undetectable to human ears. Known as the \u201cDolphin Attack<\/a>,\u201d this occurrence essentially hides commands in high-frequency sounds that our assistant-enabled gadgets can detect, but we are unable to hear. Instances of TV commercials activating digital assistants have already been reported, so we can see how this technique could be quite easy for cybercriminals to imitate if they wanted to access our smart homes\u2019 network.<\/p>\n

The growing trend of connecting these always-listening assistants to our home appliances and smart home gadgets is only exacerbating these concerns. Aside from digital assistants, other IoT devices such as game consoles, home security systems, thermostats, and smartphones may be at risk and must be secured to avoid becoming targets for cybercriminals. We must proceed with caution and be aware of who, or what could be listening in order to protect ourselves accordingly. Whenever bringing any kind of new, connected device into the home, prioritize safety and privacy.<\/p>\n

Tips to Secure Your Connected Devices<\/h2>\n

Here are some top tips to securely manage the connected devices in your home:<\/p>\n