How to prevent it

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Written By Jim J Neal

Although it is rare, Alexa could be vulnerable to hackers. Here are the basics to help you keep your information and yourself safe.

As a tech safety expert who earns a living, I am often asked whether smart devices can be hacked. My answer is always this: As long as it’s connected via Wi-Fi, it can be hacked. Alexa is the same, but don’t worry. You can take simple steps to protect yourself.

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Can Alexa Be Hacked?

Hackers can gain access your Wi-Fi network and all data connected to it. We haven’t seen any reports that an Alexa device was hacked or accessed by someone with malicious intent.

Researchers have hacked Alexa over the years to discover vulnerabilities that bad actors could exploit. Check Point, a cybersecurity firm, discovered one in 2020 that allowed hackers to install malware on Alexa capable of stealing personal information. The problem was quickly fixed by Amazon.

Researchers from the University of Catania, Italy, and London’s Royal Holloway University discovered a weakness called “Alexa against Alexa.” They gained access to Alexa devices by getting them to speak malicious commands. This is not possible without malware being installed first. This is why you should be careful.

Although not technically hacking, there have been instances where someone stole an Alexa device in order to get information about the owner or Alexa telling people how to do strange things.

How to tell if Alexa is hacked

These are signs that your Alexa might have been compromised:

  • Without you saying anything, the listening light will turn on.

  • It’s possible that you live alone and have noticed odd items in your Amazon shopping basket. You might be able to exploit the Alexa add-to cart feature.

  • Take a look at the Alexa-enabled Skills you have and see what you missed.

What to do if Alexa is hacked

Unplug your Alexa immediately if you suspect it has been hacked. Next, follow these steps:

  1. Report to your local police department so that they can investigate.

  2. For any purchase you haven’t made, check your bank account, credit card and Amazon accounts.

  3. Change passwords for accounts that are linked to Alexa.

  4. For factory reset, hold the reset button down for 10 seconds. Next, change your password.

These are some more ways to get back control after your smart device is hacked.

How to Secure Alexa

These simple prevention tips will help you keep your Alexa safe.

  • You should be careful with the skills that you allow. Some might be malicious. You should look for skills at reputable companies or with hundreds positive reviews.

  • Strong passwords should contain capital letters, symbols, and numbers. These are some suggestions.

  • To refresh your IP address, reboot your router once every 14 days. This will prevent hackers from gaining access to your router.

  • You can change the trigger word of your device from “Alexa”, to another name. This can be done by saying “Alexa, change your wake word.”

  • For Amazon accounts, use a strong password.

  • Login and Security will enable two-factor authentication for your Amazon account. Select the Two Step Verification (2SV), then click Edit, and finally Get Started. Follow the prompts on screen.

Alina Bradford

Alina Bradford
Alina Bradford, a technology and internet safety expert at SafeWise.com, has shared her expertise to dozens national publications both online and in print. One article at a moment, her goal is to make gadgets more understandable.