Unveiling Smart Homes: How much is too much?

    

You wake up one morning to the sound of your digital alarm buzzing next to your bed. Groggily, you stretch and slowly get out of bed, ready to start your day. But something feels different today. As you stumble into the bathroom, you notice the mirror has a new feature—a small touchscreen embedded into the surface. Curiosity piques your interest, and you reach out to touch it.

Instantly, the mirror comes to life, displaying a greeting with your name. "Good morning" a pleasant voice says. "How can I assist you today?" You blink in surprise, unsure of how to respond. Finally, you gather your thoughts and speak, realising the mirror is equipped with voice recognition technology. "Uh, good morning. What can you do?"

The voice cheerfully replies, "I am your personal smart home assistant. I can control various aspects of your home, including temperature, lighting, security, and entertainment. I can also provide you with weather updates, news briefings, and assist with your daily schedule. Just tell me what you need, and I'll take care of it." Intrigued by this newfound technology, you decide to put it to the test. "Switch on the kitchen lights," you ask the mirror to turn on the lights in the kitchen, and they instantly illuminate.

As you make your way downstairs, you realise that your entire home has been transformed into a smart home. The walls are equipped with embedded touchscreens, and voice-activated sensors are scattered throughout each room. You experiment with the various features, feeling a mix of awe and disbelief. In the kitchen, you ask the smart home assistant to prepare your favourite coffee, and within moments, the coffee machine springs to life, brewing a fresh cup just the way you like it. The assistant also informs you about your upcoming appointments for the day, reminding you of an important meeting you almost forgot.

Throughout the day, you continue to explore the capabilities of your smart home. You ask it to play your favourite music, and it fills the rooms with melodic tunes. You inquire about the weather, and the assistant provides detailed forecasts. It even helps you find a new recipe for dinner and guides you through the cooking process.

Days turn into weeks, and your smart home becomes an integral part of your daily routine. It learns your preferences, anticipating your needs and adjusting the environment to your liking. It saves you time and effort, handling mundane tasks and allowing you to focus on more important matters.

However, one fine day, a strange and overwhelming thought hits you. How did your new buddy- the smart home system, know about the way you like your coffee, your music interests, your sleep schedule, your diet, and even your relationships! You never had a conversation about it, you do not remember explicitly mentioning anything. You ponder for a while, and that’s when realisation dawns upon you.

• Devices are always listening and watching

Smart home systems are an application of Internet of Things (IoT). Unbeknown to many, IoT devices like the ones used in smart homes are continuously collecting data about us, including our location, our habits, and our personal preferences. This may or may not be without our knowledge or consent. The collected data can be used to track us, target us with advertising, or even control our behaviour subtly.

• Interfering with your privacy

IoT devices can be used to spy on us or track our movements. Everything we do in a day are exposed to these devices, especially in homes where the nature of data is a lot more personal and sensitive. Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular, thus presenting us with an important question - "What level of privacy is being offered?" 

• Vulnerability to cyberattacks

Anything on the internet is vulnerable to hackers. IoT devices are often poorly secured, which makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks. This can allow hackers to steal our data, take control of our devices, or even disrupt our critical infrastructure. They can exploit the minutest of the data, in ways which one cannot think of. 

• Physical safety risks

What if your digital lock fails one day? Every device is prone to failure at some point of its lifetime. Some IoT devices like security locks, control devices and medical devices, if hacked or malfunctions can pose significant safety risks to individuals or their property. Many users may not be fully aware how to properly configure and secure them. This lack of knowledge can make them more susceptible to attacks or unintentionally expose their devices to vulnerabilities. 

Whether the intrusion of IoT devices into our lives outweighs the comfort that it brings is a complex question with no easy answer. There are a number of factors to consider, including the specific devices involved, the way they are used, and the individual's level of comfort with technology

Smart systems can provide a great deal of comfort and convenience. For example, smart thermostats can automatically control and adjust your home temperature, smart locks let you in and out without a physical key, while some IoT devices are dedicated for continuous monitoring of your health, from anywhere, anytime.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not, or how much to use IoT devices is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer, and the best decision for you will depend on your individual circumstances. With that being said, there are a number of things that one can do from their end to make sure that you know the safety and security of any smart system

• Read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy policies

Please. Most of us tend to skip reading those lengthy but detailed information about the terms and conditions that the user agrees to while using a product, and the privacy policies of the company. It describes what data is collected, the specific intervals and instances, and where and how your data is going to be used in the future. Opt out of any data collection that you are uncomfortable with.

• Ensure strong security settings

Use strong passwords. If possible, try not to repeat the passwords those were previously used for other devices. Read through the different options available for each of the privacy and security settings in each device. Opt for the one you feel the best suited to your interests and level of privacy. Use firewalls and antivirus softwares wherever possible.

• Keep your devices up to date

Keep your devices up to date and ensure latest security patches. It is often seen that people often refrain from updating their devices because of various reasons, but it makes your devices vulnerable to the newer types of attacks.

• Be careful about what information you share with smart devices

Refrain from sharing any personal information while interacting with the IoT devices, the information that you do not want out in public. Remember that any piece of personal information can be used against you, and hackers do not waste opportunities to exploit.

 While these tips may help you to mitigate or reduce the level of vulnerability, it is important to note that not all IoT devices present the same level of risk. It is crucial to research and choose devices from reputable manufacturers with a strong track record in security and privacy. By adopting proper security measures, we can strike a balance between harnessing the power of smart systems and mitigating potential risks. With responsible use, robust security practices, and continued advancements in IoT security standards, we can hope to confidently embrace the benefits of a connected future while keeping our digital lives safe and secure.