Smart appliances have grown in popularity these past few years, and the fully automatic futuristic smart home of our dreams is closer than we think. But with these technological advancements comes a new slew of possible problems. Common concerns range from minor infractions, such as companies spying on our data, to more nefarious problems like hackers being able to take control of our appliances or personal cameras. Customers want the promised convenience of these innovative new appliances, but security concerns are getting in the way of people upgrading their home ecosystem.
This is not a new fear- for years, we’ve heard that our smartphones and laptops are spying on us. Some worry that marketers will be able to know what we search for, yet some take it a step further and wonder if the government, spies, or people who are up to no good are tracking our every move with our connected technology. People have taken to covering up their laptop cameras and microphones when not in use because you never know who might be watching or listening. But are such measures warranted? We know our moves on the internet are (for the most part) tracked, but what about our moves in real life? If our whole house becomes an Internet of Things (IoT), will our private movements also be tracked?
Large appliance companies are aware of these fears and are aware of how sensitive customers can be regarding the protection of their personal information. Companies have prioritized safety, using certain protocols in order to keep your information safe. The most important of which is standard data encryption protocols, which allow businesses to send and receive data from their appliances while keeping the information safe from prying eyes.
Information needs to be sent back and forth in order for the appliances to function properly, but this data is encrypted using transport encryption such as the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) methods to ensure privacy. And while companies use data to help improve their products and services, the information is made to be anonymous, so no personal details are compromised. Like most companies, appliance companies consider customer privacy to be a priority when delivering the newest user-friendly products, so they implement strict privacy standards.
Global appliance giant LG thinks customers have nothing to fear when it comes to the safety of their data and personal information. “As part of LG Electronics’ mission to enhance the lives of consumers worldwide, we are expanding our next-generation smart home appliance lineup, while also prioritizing the development of safe and reliable software programs,” said Koonseok Lee, Manager of Smart Development Team, Smart Solution BD, LG Electronics. As far as specific precautions go, the LG app has a built-in anti-root mechanism, which immediately closes if it detects the smartphone is rooted, which means users (and hackers) are unable to bypass the safety and security mechanisms. It also has a pinning mechanism that is able to restrict intercepting traffic in case someone is attempting to hack your phone.
If you’re still worried about privacy, there are some basic steps that can be taken in order to provide further peace of mind. Keep your smart appliances safe using the same steps you would to keep your computer safe when connected to the internet. First of all, secure your wireless network by protecting it with enhanced protected access (WPA2) protocol. You should be using a firewall as well as an updated antivirus program on all your computers. Keep in mind password best practices, like using strong passwords for everything, changing them regularly, and never sharing them with anyone. And finally, always check for firmware and security updates on your connected devices. These feature improvements that are crucial in keeping your information as safe as possible.
Don’t let the newest smart products, which are created to make your life easier, scare you. It may take some getting used to, but you don’t have to be worried that your smart toilet is spying on you.