I recently purchased an Echo Dot, and I've connected my Harmony remote and some Hue lights, and I'm enjoying them so far, but I've been a little skeptical from the start regarding security.

Do you guys that use Alexa feel pretty secure?

It doesn't help when I read articles like this:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/25/business/amazon-alexa-car.html

1/28/2018 8:52:40 PM

Alexa is essentially an android phone without a screen, running Amazon's OS.

If you have a cell phone, you have an always-on device with a microphone and camera. If you're comfortable with your cellphone, there's no need to be extra skeptical about Alexa. I think the reason this even comes up is because Alexa's primary UI is voice, but it's the exact same hardware and very similar software to a device you'd had for years.

However, i don't think any of these devices are secure, they're all going to be VERY susceptible to the gov eaves dropping or hackers

If security is your concern, you have to do what edward snowden does and physically remove the speakers and mics from your device and only use physically wired headsets, and in the case of Alexa, don't use the device at all.

[Edited on January 28, 2018 at 11:38 PM. Reason : ]

1/28/2018 11:38:30 PM

Quote :

"If you have a cell phone, you have an always-on device with a microphone and camera."

Not everyone's microphones or cameras are always active. Most people I know prefer to tap a button/widget before they "OK Google" rather than having their microphone always on, burning battery life.

1/29/2018 12:15:57 AM

^ They're always active.

1/29/2018 12:47:39 PM

Your camera and microphone are not always recording

1/29/2018 2:07:23 PM

i ignore the massive security holes for the convenience of yelling my house hotter or colder

1/29/2018 4:39:56 PM

If the government wants to listen to me spit mad game at my wife then so be it. And by mad game I mean stupid shit like "How you doin", "Nice set of hooters you got there", "Yes, I locked the front door, did you lock the backdoor?" and "Speaking of BJ's..."

2/1/2018 2:25:03 PM