Smart home devices are making life easier for millions of Americans, but security specialists say they are also opening doors to hackers as adoption surges in major U.S. cities.
Voice assistants, video doorbells, smart locks and connected appliances are now common in homes from New York to Los Angeles. Analysts estimate nearly two-thirds of households own at least one device, and many have several. The growth has raised concerns over weak passwords, unpatched software and cameras or microphones that could be hijacked.
Recent breaches highlight the risks. A flaw in Wyze security cameras exposed video previews to strangers, while hackers took control of Ecovacs robotic vacuums in Los Angeles, sending abusive messages through built-in speakers. Federal agencies have also warned of bugs in some Wi-Fi thermostats that could allow outsiders to tamper with settings remotely.
Washington has launched a voluntary “Cyber Trust Mark” to label products meeting baseline security standards, and California now requires unique logins and update policies for devices sold in the state. Manufacturers are encrypting data, releasing patches more quickly and simplifying privacy controls.
Experts advise users to change default passwords, enable two-factor authentication, keep software up to date and place smart devices on separate Wi-Fi networks. They say the convenience of connected gadgets will keep driving demand, but protecting them is now as essential as locking a front door.