Can your virtual assistant be hacked?
Almost everyone sees the benefits of using a virtual assistant. In recent years, they have become increasingly popular and can be used to answer any question.
Can your virtual assistant be hacked? Virtual Assistants 101
Almost everyone sees the benefits of using a virtual assistant. Guest posts have become increasingly popular in recent years and can be used to answer any question.
They offer a variety of benefits. And if you want them to answer a question, they have to listen to your voice, an approach that has raised many privacy concerns. People wonder if virtual assistants can be hacked, but there’s still a lot to learn.
All virtual assistants are equipped with the highest level of security. However, that doesn’t mean hacking isn’t possible. With millions of smart devices installed in homes, they can attract hackers.
How to hack a virtual assistant?
The virtual assistant is often controlled by talking to him. And it helps owners multitask while their caregivers listen to their requests and respond when asked for something.
Unfortunately, these canals were also exploited by pirates. Instead of speaking directly to the technology, they use ultrasonic waves or lasers to send voice commands remotely.The Laser
can be operated simply by pointing directly at the device’s microphone and issuing commands. This leads to small movements of the microphone membrane, which the virtual assistant interprets as sound. And according to research, these attacks can be performed at different distances, even up to 110 meters. For example, hackers can also use invisible UV lasers.
The virtual assistant responds with a tone regardless of what you use to issue the command. Unfortunately, this doesn’t present much of a hurdle for hackers. Your first command is to turn down the volume.
What can a hacker do with a virtual assistant?
The harm a virtual assistant can do depends on what you plug into your device. When your virtual assistant is connected to your security system, hackers can use it to gain access to your home. And that’s why many smart locks require PIN codes.
How do you protect your virtual assistant from hackers?
Whether you suspect unusual activity on your devices or not, it is very important to protect your virtual assistant from hackers.The methods are quite simple. However, some may cause your device to be less functional.
1. Consider network segmentation
The segmentation of the
network plays a key role in this and makes it easier to monitor for violations and potential threats in the network. What is network segmentation?It is a network security strategy in which physical networks are segmented into different subnetworks to provide unique security and auditing capabilities for visibility and manageability.
Once your network is partitioned, you can easily monitor system activity, identify network inefficiencies, and strengthen your security infrastructure. In addition, segmentation allows network administrators to optimize security, and segmentation can be implemented in two ways: physical segmentation or virtual segmentation.
2. Avoid connecting a virtual assistant to all your devices
Your virtual assistant should help you with a variety of things, including controlling lights, thermostats, and other devices. However, it would make sense to only connect them to very important devices. Reassess your decision to connect to your car and critical security devices, and choose only those devices that pose the least security risk if attacked.
3. Hide or mute microphone
hackers usually need the device’s microphone to control it with a laser. Therefore, you can prevent laser attacks by turning off your microphone and keeping it away from windows.
It’s not always possible to mute the microphone, but it’s worth considering, especially if you’re away from home. This makes it harder for hackers to get into your systems when you’re not at home.
