In a time when smart devices have become an integral part of our daily lives, privacy is no longer a purely personal issue, but rather has turned into a complex technical challenge. The phones we carry, the watches we wear, the cameras we install for protection, and even the cars we drive are all devices connected to the Internet and – in theory and in practice – vulnerable to hacking if not properly secured. While we look for convenience and ease of use, hackers are lurking in the same vulnerabilities that we ignore.

Smartphones are at the forefront of targets. It contains our private photos, our conversations, our bank accounts, and a log of our daily movements. If a phone is compromised, an attacker may be able to remotely turn on the microphone to record conversations, activate the camera to take photos without the user knowing, or copy sensitive files and data. The most dangerous thing is that some malware can work in the background without any obvious indicators, leaving the victim unaware of what is happening.

Smart watches and health bracelets do not differ much in terms of risk, despite their small size. It collects precise data on health, activity, and geographic location, and is linked directly to the phone. Hacking it may give the attacker an additional window to access user data, or even exploit it as a crossing point to other devices within the network.

In homes, surveillance cameras and smart doorbells have turned from security tools into potential weak points. There are documented incidents in which home cameras were hacked and children were spoken to via loudspeaker, or live clips from inside homes were broadcast on the Internet. Simply put, the camera that is supposed to protect you can become an eye on you.

Smart TVs and voice assistants present another level of risk. These devices are equipped with microphones that wait for keywords to activate voice commands. If hacked, they can be turned into permanent eavesdropping devices, capturing daily conversations inside the home. Viewing patterns and interests can also be analyzed, and this data can be sold or used for fraud and micro-targeting.

But the most worrying threats relate to modern cars. Connected cars rely on operating systems, cloud updates, and remote control applications. In an advanced hacking scenario, a car’s location could be tracked in real time, creating a complete map of its daily movements: when it leaves the house, where it stops, how long it stays at each location. Some systems rely on activating voice recording when key words are picked up inside the cabin, and if this feature is exploited maliciously, the car may turn into a mobile recording device for private conversations. In more serious cases, images may be taken from cameras surrounding the vehicle, or keyless entry systems may be exploited to open the doors remotely.

On the streets and in institutions, risks are increasing with the spread of public surveillance cameras, fingerprint devices, and electronic points of sale. Hacking these systems could lead to customer data being leaked, payment card information being stolen, or entire services being disrupted through ransomware attacks. Hackers can also use poorly protected devices to form huge networks of compromised devices that are used to launch large-scale electronic attacks.

The motivations behind these hacks are multiple. Some of them aim to spy and collect information, and some of them are aimed at blackmailing through photos or recordings, or to steal money and data. There are also those who seek to build huge databases of individuals’ movements and behaviors to use them for fraud or selling on digital black markets.

Technically, hacking is often caused by weak or unchanged default passwords, neglected system updates, downloading untrusted applications, or connecting to unsecured public internet networks. Sometimes clicking a single phishing link is enough to give the attacker access to an entire world of personal data.

Despite the bleak picture, prevention is possible and relatively simple. It starts with securing your home network by changing the router’s password, using the latest encryption standards, and creating a separate network for smart home devices. Devices should also be kept up to date, use strong and unique passwords for each account, and activate two-factor authentication where possible. It’s also wise to disable non-essential features like the microphone or camera when not needed, and purchase devices from companies that provide regular security updates.

The reality is that technology is not an enemy, but a tool that requires awareness in its use. Smart devices have provided us with an unprecedented level of comfort and efficiency, but the price may be our privacy if we neglect the security aspect. In a world that is connected around the clock, digital security becomes a daily responsibility, no less important than locking a house door with a key.

* M. Hani Mahmoud Al-Batsh
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Consultant