Vindictive ex-partners access devices remotely to listen to private conversations and tamper with light and heating controls, experts warn

[SBFNews]

Vindictive ex-partners access devices remotely to listen to private conversations and tamper with light and heating controls, experts warn​

By Cameron Charters For The Mail On Sunday01:33 GMT 27 Nov 2022 , updated 01:40 GMT 27 Nov 2022

• Voice activated gadgets increasingly being hijacked by vindictive ex-partners
• More than 600 instances of cyberstalking are being reported every month
• Amazon advises customers to use strong passwords and two-step verification

Amazon Alexa devices are increasingly being used by stalkers to terrorize people in their own homes, experts are warning.

The gadgets, which are voice activated and used to activate devices such as light controls or to play music, are being hijacked by vindictive ex-partners, who can access them if they know the password or by using an app.

This allows them to listen to private conversations or remotely tamper with light or heating controls.

More than 600 cases of cyberstalking are being reported each month.


In one case, Philippa Copleston-Warren, 46, accessed the speaker in her ex-boyfriend’s bedroom to shout ‘get the whore out’ to him and his new girlfriend.


She then remotely switched the bedside light on and off.


Professor George Loukas, who specialises in cybersecurity at Greenwich University, said: ‘If a relationship falls apart, then make sure your ex loses access to any smart home device you are sharing by removing their account from your device. Also, change your own password.’


Amazon said: ‘Customers should keep their Amazon account information confidential and use a strong password or two-step verification to secure their account.’

Source:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...a-devices-terrorise-victims-experts-warn.html