Beware of Hackable Holiday Gifts @IntelSec Home

28 Nov 2015 · 3 min

Watch on YouTube

2:40

In this consumer news segment, Nina Pineda presents a list of holiday tech gifts that are especially vulnerable to hacking, with expert commentary from online safety specialist Robert Siciliano (Intel Security) and consumer expert Andrea Warrock. The discussion highlights drones, connected toys, smartwatches/fitness trackers, e‑readers, tablets, and smartphones as common entry points for cyber‑criminals. Siciliano warns that any device with Wi‑Fi or Bluetooth can be compromised if firmware isn’t updated, Wi‑Fi isn’t password‑protected, or security software isn’t installed. He stresses the risk of malware, unauthorized camera/audio access, geolocation tracking, and even predatory exploitation of children through compromised toys. Warrock adds that fitness trackers can leak data to phones, and advises against storing financial passwords on mobile devices. The segment concludes with practical consumer advice: research devices before use, keep firmware up‑to‑date, use strong, unique passwords, secure Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth, run antivirus and firewalls, avoid public Wi‑Fi, and scan or return any gift that appears infected.

Chapters

Well, the holiday season is here and many of us have tech gifts on our lists.
Yeah, I love those gadgets. But before you give or get a gadget, you should be aware of security risks that make those devices easily hackable.
7 On Your Side's Nina Pineda is here with her list of the most hackable holiday gifts and how to protect yourself.
Nina, it's the most wonderful time of the year, right? Criminals can't wait until you unwrap that gift, start using it, giving them a way to worm their way into your private life. Through ways you never even dreamed.
Americans spent more than $100 million on drones this year. The flying device is a cybercriminal's dream, according to Robert Siciliano, online safety expert for Intel Security.
Anytime you see a drone in the area, recognize that it could be peeking or peeping on you.
Either through the device's internet connection or camera.
Anything Wi-Fi is hackable. Anything Bluetooth can be compromised as well.
Robert warns if you don't update the drone's firmware and use password-protected Wi-Fi, your drone can be hijacked. And kids love Connecting through tech, hackers can use kids' toys like remote control cars to jump onto your phone, laptop, or desktop.
All of that in some way is vulnerable to malware.
He recommends running security software on all your devices and setting up firewalls. And also research those apps. Some offer scary ways to spy on you or your child.
They could get all of the auditory of the room. They could get the geolocation information where they are with their friends, at home, at school.
Many parents aren't aware you're giving permission to turn on cameras access photos, contacts, and emails.
It could also be a predator or even a pedophile that now has full access to your children.
Next, those smartwatches and fitness trackers.
Fitbit that's sitting on my wrist is sending data to my smartphone, so that's how hackers can get into my phone and steal whatever information I have saved on here. Consumer expert Andrea Warrock's advice: Don't store any passwords to financial accounts on your phone.
E-books, tablets, and smartphones also make ideal affordable gifts., but are the path of least resistance for hackers.
A criminal can access everything on the phone, right, and everything the phone is accessing, like Facebook or Twitter or even banking information.
Yeah, Rob says the best way to avoid being hacked: be informed, research that tech gadget before you plug it in, and protect yourself. Change passwords, use strong passwords, and don't use public Wi-Fi or really Bluetooth that doesn't have a password for that matter. Also, install antivirus— antivirus and privacy software. Run a scan on that new gift. Disconnect it and return it if you suspect that it's infected.