Got an Amazon Echo, Apple Watch, or smart locks? Here’s how they can come in handy when your loved ones need it the most.
Are your smart devices tracking too much?
Your smartwatch is great for tracking steps, but have you ever thought about where all that personal data actually goes?
From sleep patterns to calorie intake, it’s like a digital diary — and it’s worth billions to insurance companies, marketing outfits, advertisers and, of course, hackers. Don’t panic! I’ll walk you through how to lock down your privacy.
What’s being collected?
- Fitness metrics like steps taken, calories burned, heart rate and your workout intensity.
- Health info, including sleep quality, blood oxygen levels, reproductive health details and stress indicators.
- Behavioral patterns such as how you move, how often you check your device and where you go most frequently.
- Location data, including GPS tracking during runs and walks, along with routine daily movements.
These data points might not seem like a big deal by themselves, but together, they create a detailed snapshot of your life.
That’s worth big money
While companies often claim the information they collect is “anonymized,” it doesn’t take much to connect the dots and figure out who you are. For example, you’re using an app that promises it doesn’t track you, but your phone has a unique ID and it’s also tied to your IP address. Got ya!
That can lead to discrimination, with employers, insurance companies or others using data you don’t know they have to make biased decisions. There’s also the potential for breaches to expose sensitive health data to hackers who could use it for blackmail or fraud.
And let’s not forget manipulation. Imagine your fitness tracker notices a slight weight gain, and suddenly, you’re being bombarded with ads for weight-loss products. It’s not just invasive; it’s downright predatory.
How to protect yourself
If you use apps and devices to monitor your health, there’s a lot you can do to protect yourself.
Be selective: Stick with apps that have a strong privacy track record and are crystal clear about not collecting personal info or usage data. Even better? Apps that store your data on your device instead of the cloud.
Ask Kim: 'Help! My brother-in-law is spying on us'
“Dear Kim,
“My brother-in-law has our family cottage wired with a Ring security system. He is not to be trusted as he has been unfaithful to his wife and she has filed for divorce. My family is very suspicious that we are being watched or listened to all the time.
Sit, DoS, rollover: The Department of Homeland Security now has a dog-like robot that disables smart devices on the go. Need to surprise a suspect? The robo-pup, “NEO,” can launch a denial-of-service (DoS) attack to take out the doorbell cam and other connected security systems. Crazy!
1,329 more steps a day
For people who use health apps and smart devices. A new study shows that people do 55 minutes more exercise per week, eat 20% more fruits and veggies, and sleep better.
How to deal with a cyberstalker
Let me tell you, more and more victims of cyberstalking are reaching out to me for advice using my Ask Kim page. Here’s one note I received recently from P.W. in Oklahoma:
“I’ve been cyberstalked for three years. I recently discovered it was my roommate. I moved out and he launched another attack. He’s on my and my fiance’s phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth — everything. He has stolen financial data, pictures, erased accounts, taken over emails and harassed me through VOIP. … He admitted to sitting outside our house all night. I thought he was spying on me. Now I know he was also gaining access to my Wi-Fi. I can’t do this anymore and need expert advice/help terribly.”
Create personal automations on your phone
Wanna feel like you’re living in 2075? Start automating your phone tasks, friends. Yep, your phone has a shortcut feature you’re probably not taking advantage of. You can trigger multiple actions at once just by asking Siri or Google Assistant!
From the “whatever” department: Amazon, Google and Best Buy are working on a “hacker-safe” label for smart devices. Scan the QR code for info on your new doorbell or TV, and see if it meets certain cybersecurity standards. The ETA for the label is later this year, but hackers always find a way.
Is your tech reporting back to China?
You have a lot of smart devices. I have an easy way to check which countries they’re connected to. Plus, I answer one of your burning tech questions!
Appliances and smart devices caught spying the MOST
It’s no secret our devices spy on us. The shocker is that it goes way beyond smartphones and laptops. That smart fridge of yours just might be tracking your eating habits and selling them to advertisers. Still want another beer?
6 pieces of tech that are always draining power and costing you money
Depending on where you live, your electric bill can be super expensive, no matter which season we’re in. You run the AC during summer and the furnace during winter. We don’t seem to get a break.
Smart devices can go a long way in saving you some cash. Smart sprinklers, for instance, stop watering when it’s raining and monitor to ensure you’re not wasting water. Tap or click for the features to look for when upgrading your sprinkler system.
Every iPhone and Android user should know these genius commands
Look up next time you’re outside and guess where the airplane above you is headed. Los Angeles? New York? Paris? Ask Siri this phrase, “What flights are overhead?” You’ll see the carrier, flight number and altitude in seconds. I love sharing simple digital life tips that make things easier.
AI toys: Cool or creepy?
In the not-so-distant future, you could walk in on a teddy bear reading a bedtime story to your child. Not just any story, a saga customized based on everything the toy knows about your child — their likes, dislikes and deepest secrets. All thanks to artificial intelligence (AI).
5 hidden Google Assistant tricks for your Android
Virtual assistants can be used with smartphones, tablets, computers and smart devices, including speakers, TVs, lightbulbs, thermostats, surveillance cameras and more. While Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Cortana, Bixby and others are designed to make your life easier, it helps to know everything they can do.
Money-saving secret your cable and internet provider doesn't want you to know
When you’re driving, spotty cell coverage is a drag. Music, GPS, and calls just won’t go through. Here’s a quick guide to boosting your service no matter where the road takes you.
What about a travel pro tip if you prefer to fly to your destination? You can see which flights include the most legroom with the right tools. I tell all my tall friends about this trick. Tap or click here for the secret — it’s No. 5 on the list.
Apple, Google, Amazon, and Facebook are always listening unless you change these settings
I use my voice to get a lot done. Siri sets meetings for me, silences my phone and lots more. An Amazon Echo can help find your phone, lock the front door and drop in to chat with loved ones.
What’s the downside of always-on devices that listen for commands? Nearly all voice-activated technology uses microphones that listen for “wake words.” That means they are, technically, always listening.
Top hidden dangers of your smart home (and how to stay safe)
Our homes are filled with smart tech these days: You may love the convenience of spotting packages from video doorbells or asking Siri how many fluid ounces are in a cup (it’s eight!). But in return for convenience, you have to make some trades, including your contact information.
Will smart guns save lives?
Kai Kloepfer was in high school in 2012 when a man walked into a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado and killed 12 while injuring 70 more.
Now 26, Kloepfer is releasing a product he has been working on ever since: a smart gun. It started as a science fair project in response to the shooting and is now the centerpiece of Biofire, which has raised $30 million in funding. Here’s the story.
Think your phone is always listening? You're not alone
Is your phone secretly listening to you? Over the last decade, the notion has become a part of American culture. But how legitimate is this belief? Weirdly specific ads, smart assistant surveillance and plain old paranoia may all influence your relationship with technology.
Buying new smart home tech? Take this step to keep creeps out
Whenever you buy a new smart device, the first thing to do is change the default password. Without this critical step, hackers could break into your doorbells, thermostats or security cameras. They could turn up the home’s temperature until it’s boiling — or scream death threats over a microphone.