Robert Siciliano from Intel Security warns that holiday tech gifts like fitness trackers, smartwatches, and drones are vulnerable to hackers. Update firmware immediately, avoid public Wi-Fi with drones, and be careful with apps that require public profiles or broadcast live video, which can expose children to stalking and identity theft.
Chapters
A lot of us have high-tech gadgets on our holiday shopping list, but some of the hottest gift items may bring the risk of a cyber attack. Fox 25's Sarah Underwood shows how you— what you can do to protect yourself.
Buyer beware.
You could buy a device that could end up being your child's and family's worst nightmare.
Fitness trackers and iWatches are hot gifts, But Intel Security's Robert Siciliano says their wireless technology makes wearers vulnerable to hackers.
Immediately when you get a fitness tracker or even a smartwatch, do a quick search to determine if there's any security upgrades or updates, if there are any vulnerabilities for these devices. So you might find some patches from the manufacturer to update that device.
Another hot gift item— drones. Like any other wireless device, Robert says avoid public Wi-Fi.
It can allow a criminal hacker to access and remotely control your drone.
Be sure to monitor any apps your child is using that require a public online profile to play.
It could be used to find that child, you know, learn what their online habits are in the physical and virtual world, and also it can be used to compromise their actual identity.
And one of the biggest red flags is any electronic that allows live video broadcasting from cameras, like a smartphone.
That means that anybody, anywhere in the world can see what that child or you are up to. And that can result in all kinds of issues— stalking, pedophiles, identity theft. So before you engage in broadcasting video, know what the potential consequences might be.
Sarah Underwood, Fox 25 News.
Robert tells us almost every electronic device is vulnerable to hacking, including ebooks, tablets, even remote control cars.
