Can your virtual assistant be hacked?

Can your virtual assistant be hacked? Virtual Assistants 101

Almost everyone sees the benefits of using a virtual assistant. Has your virtual assistant been hacked in recent years? Articles are becoming increasingly popular and can be used to answer any question.

They offer a variety of benefits. And if you want them to answer a question, they have to listen to your voice, an approach that has raised many privacy concerns. People wonder if virtual assistants can be hacked, but there’s still a lot to learn.

All virtual assistants are equipped with the highest level of security. However, that doesn’t mean hacking isn’t possible. The millions of smart devices installed in homes can attract hackers. In fact, security experts say that simply by implementing certain tools, attackers can access the virtual assistant and it is important to protect yourself.

How to hack a virtual assistant?
The virtual assistant is often verified by talking to him. It also helps owners multitask as their caregivers listen to their requests and respond when prompted.
Unfortunately, these channels have also been exploited by hackers. Rather than speaking directly to the technology, they use ultrasonic waves or lasers to issue voice commands over a distance.
The Laser
can be used simply by pointing directly at the device’s microphone and issuing commands. This leads to small movements of the microphone membrane, which the virtual assistant interprets as sound. According to research, these attacks can be carried out at different distances, up to 110 meters. For instance, hackers may also leverage ultraviolet lasers, which can not be seen.

However, most hackers find ultrasonic waves more effective. They are usually silent, meaning that you could be around your device yet unaware that it is being accessed using ultrasonic. In addition, they can penetrate obstacles, meaning they can be performed from several distances away, traveling through physical obstacles—even outside your home. Virtual assistants can hardly identify the difference between real voice commands and ultrasonic waves.

What can a hacker do with a virtual assistant?
The damage a virtual assistant can do depends on what you connect your device to. When your virtual assistant is connected to your security system, hackers can use it to gain access to your home. For this reason, many smart locks require a PIN code.

Additionally, if your assistant is connected to your car, attackers can use it to unlock your car’s security and even move it. Hackers use it to make online purchases when linked to your payment details.

1. Consider network segmentation The segmentation of the
network plays a key role in this and makes it easier to trace violations and potential threats in the network. So what is network segmentation? It is a network security strategy in which physical networks are segmented into different subnetworks to provide unique security and auditing capabilities for greater visibility and ease of management.

After partitioning your network, you can easily monitor the activity of your systems, identify network inefficiencies, and strengthen your security infrastructure. In addition, segmentation allows network administrators to optimize security, and segmentation can be implemented in two ways: physical segmentation or virtual segmentation.

2. Avoid connecting a virtual assistant to all your devices
Your virtual assistant should help you with a variety of things, including controlling lights, thermostats, and other devices. However, it would make sense to only connect them to very important devices. Reconsider your decision to connect your car and critical security devices, and choose only those devices that pose the least security risk in the event of an attack.

3. Hide or mute microphone
hackers typically need a device’s microphone to control it with a laser. Therefore, you can prevent laser attacks by turning off your microphone and keeping it away from windows.

It’s not always possible to turn off your microphone, but you should consider doing so, especially when you’re away from home. This makes it harder for hackers to get into your systems when you’re not at home.