FBI Issues Urgent Warning About These 5 Common Smart Home Devices That Could Be Spying on You
- The FBI’s Portland field office has released a public service announcement targeting specific smart home devices that hackers can exploit to record audio and video without your knowledge.
- Experts warn that baby monitors, smart thermostats, and even doorbells with weak security settings are being used in ‘virtual invasion’ schemes, often turning surveillance against homeowners.
- A new wave of cyberattacks uses these devices to steal personal data and even monitor daily routines, with the FBI revealing that many users fail to change default passwords or update firmware.
- The bureau specifically highlights ‘smishing’ and phishing tactics where fake security alerts trick users into granting remote access to their home networks through these gadgets.
- To protect yourself, the FBI recommends segmenting your Wi-Fi network for IoT devices, immediately disabling universal plug and play features, and covering built-in cameras when not in use.