TECH THAT IS ALWAYS ON: How to protect yourself

Voice assistant protection tips

• If you don't plan to access your calendar or address book, consider creating a new email account just for your voice assistant
• Erase recordings from time to time
• If you're not using your device, mute it
• If you don't plan on purchasing through your device, turn off voice purchasing or set up a password/PIN requirement for voice purchases
• Change your 'wake word' to something other than the default option
  
  

High-tech toys and privacy concerns High-tech toys and privacy concerns

Alexa

• To delete old recordings: access them in your Alexa App under Settings > History or from your Amazon account under "Manage my device"
• Set up an "end of request" tone - this will have your device make a sound to let you know it has stopped listening

RELATED: Could what you Amazon Alexas overhears be used against you?

Google Home

• Use your Google account settings to decide what information your Google Home can access. This includes location services, searches and advertisements. This is also where you would delete old recordings
• Watch your Google Home LED lights - they change color when it's listening and could be triggered by accident