Can Alexa Be Hacked? What Should I Do?

Amazon Alexa is integral to managing some of my daily tasks.

Using voice commands, I can play music, control smart home devices, and even order a takeaway without leaving the house or seat.

Alexa is very convenient, yet there’s an obvious security question with any connected technology. While Amazon strives to maintain robust security measures, there have been instances where vulnerabilities were discovered.

Staying informed about these potential risks will help you take proactive steps to secure your devices and safeguard your personal information.

Different Ways In Which Can Alexa Be Hacked

Voice Faking

Voice faking is when someone uses a computer program to copy another person’s voice.

This can trick devices like Amazon’s Alexa, which usually knows who’s talking to them by understanding the sound of their voice. If a hacker copies your voice well enough, they could speak to your Alexa and make it think it’s you. They could turn on your lights, buy stuff, or get your private info without permission.

Fake Alexa Skills

Sometimes, accessing fake Alexa skills can do all sorts of things, like telling you the weather or controlling your smart devices.

Yet some of these skills might be made by bad guys who want to do sneaky things. They might create a skill that says it does one thing, like helping you cook, but it does something else, like listening to private conversations or getting your info.

When you add these skills to your Alexa, they might ask you for permission to do stuff they don’t need to do their job.

This is risky because it could mean they’re trying to do things they shouldn’t. It’s like if someone fixing your sink asked for the keys to your car—it doesn’t make sense, and it’s not safe.

Smart Bugging

Smart bugging is when someone secretly uses the microphone in your Alexa device to listen to what you’re saying without you knowing.

Think of it like someone hiding a tiny microphone in your room. If a hacker finds a weak spot in Alexa’s security, they might be able to turn it on from far away using a remote listening device
and listen in. They could hear you talking about private things, like your day plans or bank details.

Network Sharing Via Amazon Sidewalk

Amazon Sidewalk is a feature that helps your Alexa and other devices work better by letting them connect to a bigger network.

They can use a bit of the neighbor’s Wi-Fi to extend their range, helping them function in previously inaccessible spots for simple tasks like locating keys or switching on lights.

But there’s a catch.

When you let your Alexa use Sidewalk, you share your internet connection with other devices you don’t own. Because you’re sharing, there’s a slight chance that a hacker could sneak through this bigger network to access your Amazon Echo devices or even your home Wi-Fi network.

The DolphinAttack

Imagine sounds that are so high-pitched that our ears can’t hear them. These are called ultrasonic frequencies. Clever hackers have learned to use these invisible sounds to talk to devices like Amazon Echo without making any noise you can hear.

Here’s how it works: Your Echo wakes up when it hears certain words, like “Alexa.”

Typically, you say these words out loud. However, hackers can send these ultrasonic sounds only your Echo devices can hear. The Echo thinks it’s hearing you say “Alexa,” and it starts listening for commands.

Since these sounds are too high to hear, a hacker could tell your Echo to do things without you knowing—like playing music, sending messages, or looking up information.

Laser Hack

Hackers have figured out a clever trick: they can use lasers to “talk” to smart home devices like your Alexa.

Here’s how it’s done: Normally, you give commands to Alexa by speaking. Your voice makes sound waves that Alexa’s microphone picks up. But hackers can turn a laser beam into a light-wave version of your voice. They can change the laser light so that when it hits the Alexa’s microphone, the microphone thinks it’s hearing someone speak. This is because the light vibrations from the laser can mimic the vibrations made by sound.

So, a hacker could be outside your house, point a laser with a command encoded in it at your Alexa, and make it do things without making any sound. It’s like they’re using a silent, invisible remote control. Your Alexa might start doing things like turning on the lights, playing music, or even unlocking a smart lock, and you wouldn’t hear a thing because it’s all being done with light, not sound.

How Can I Tell If My Alexa Is Hacked?

Hacked devices can compromise privacy, so you must be vigilant for unusual behavior.

Here are signs that might indicate my Alexa device has been hacked:

Unexpected Activation: If Alexa activates without the wake word or responds to unfamiliar commands, it’s a red flag. Hackers may be attempting to access it remotely.
Unrecognized Commands in History: Check your Alexa history regularly. Commands you don’t recognize might suggest someone else is using my device.
Mysterious Sounds or Voices: Hackers might gain the ability to play sounds or use the speaker. Anything out of the ordinary should be noted.
Smart Home Disturbances: Should my linked smart devices start misbehaving or activating without my input, this could signal that my Alexa’s security has been breached.
Unfamiliar Skills: Look through the Alexa app for any skills that you don’t remember adding. Hackers may add skills to gain more access to your device or data.
Network Activity: If you notice unexpected or unknown devices connected to your Wi-Fi network or increased data usage without explanation, this could indicate that your Alexa or network security has been breached.

What Should I Do Immediately If My Alexa Is Hacked?

If you find that your Alexa device has been compromised, take immediate action to secure your Amazon account and the device.

Here’s a brief guide on what steps I would follow:

Disconnect Alexa: Unplug the device to stop any potential unauthorized access.
Change Amazon Account Password: Visit the Amazon website and change your Amazon account password to ensure it is solid and unique.
Review Account Activity: Check recent activity on your Amazon account to help you spot any unfamiliar actions and determine what has been done.

To change the Amazon password, log in to your account and select Your Account. From there, go to Login & Security.

You can change the account password or report a compromised account there, which will also log you out from everywhere.

5 Ways To Further Secure Your Echo Device

I recommend a list of steps to ensure your Echo smart speaker remains private and secure. They’re pretty easy to implement and will significantly enhance the security of your Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is like having a second lock on your door. For example, one lock might stop some thieves, but two locks make it much harder for them to get in. 2FA makes your Amazon account much safer.

When you turn on 2FA, you’re asked for two different proofs that you’re trying to get into your account. The first proof is something you know, like your Amazon password. The second proof is something you have, like a code sent to your phone.

So, if someone sneaky finds out your password and tries to get into your account, they’ll be stopped unless they also have your phone to get the unique code. This is a powerful way to keep bad guys out because even if they have the same password, it’s also tough for them to have your phone.

Take Care Of Your Network Security

Keeping your Wi-Fi network safe is like keeping your house locked up tight.

You wouldn’t want just anyone walking in and taking a look around, right?

You’ll see options like WPA2 or WPA3 when you set up your Wi-Fi. These are just fancy names for security that protect your Wi-Fi. WPA2 has been around for a while and does a good job, but WPA3 is the newest and strongest.

Using these security standards and changing your Wi-Fi password now and then makes it challenging for someone you don’t want on your Wi-Fi to break in.

Disable or set a PIN for Voice Purchases

Imagine you’re at a store with a shopping cart, but instead of paying at the register, you say what you want to buy, and it’s yours. That’s kind of how buying stuff with Alexa works.

But what if someone else starts shouting out things to buy?

You might end up with a bunch of stuff you didn’t want!

I put a secret code called a PIN on my Alexa shopping feature to prevent this. It’s a unique password, so whenever I (or anyone else) try to buy something with Alexa, it asks for this PIN. If you don’t know the secret code, no shopping for you!

Here is how to do it:

Open the Alexa app and navigate to Settings, followed by Account Settings.

Tap the Voice Purchasing option and Purchase Confirmation.

On the Purchase Confirmation screen, click into Voice Code, set a 4-digit code, and hit Save.

From now on, this PIN will be required for every voice purchase through Echo Dot devices.

Adjust Your Privacy Settings

Think of your privacy settings like the rules of a game that you get to make up.

You want to play the game in a way that feels good and safe for you, right?

For example, I have Alexa smart speakers at home that can listen to and talk to me. Yet, I want to ensure they don’t remember everything I say. That’s why I use the app on my phone to disable or limit voice recordings.

I also like looking at my app or device activity history. If I see something I don’t want to keep, I can erase it. This way, I make sure only the stuff I’m okay with gets remembered.

To access Privacy Settings from the Alexa app, navigate to Settings and tap Alexa Privacy

Review Third-Party Skills

Be careful about which third-party skills you enable on your Echo device.

Before I add a skill, I look at its privacy policies and permissions, as these can be potential gateways to compromising my data security if they’re not thoroughly checked.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the signs that someone else is accessing my Alexa?

If my Alexa starts activating without the wake word, responds to unfamiliar voices or commands, or notices unexpected items on my shopping list or strange messages in my history, these could be signs that someone else has access to my device.

Are there common vulnerabilities that could lead to my Alexa being hacked?

Yes, like any device connected to the Internet, my Alexa can have vulnerabilities. Weak Wi-Fi security, out-of-date software, or using unofficial or malicious Alexa Skills can all create potential entry points for hackers.

Concerning privacy concerns, how secure is an Alexa device?

Alexa devices are built with multiple layers of privacy protection. These include the ability to delete voice recordings and control the use of my voice data. However, you should regularly review and configure privacy settings to ensure your security level and data sharing are comfortable.