How long will your new smart device be ‘smart?’

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -Are you one of the countless consumers who bought or were gifted a smart device over the holidays?

The majority of those products aren’t doing all they’re expected to in order to keep your home safe and your privacy protected.

“If you’re not getting security updates and patches on these devices you are potentially opening up your living rooms to hackers and snoopers who can literally look into your living room or places in your home,” said Fil de Banate.

The Federal Trade Commission recently studied 184 smart connected products in 64 categories and found nearly 90 percent of them don’t disclose how long they’re going to support the software for these products.

“If you’re not continuing to get the software updates, the features of that device that make it smart, you might as well get a brick,” said de Banate.

He says they looked at everything from smart televisions, gadgets and voice assistants, to healthcare products like blood glucose and blood pressure monitoring systems, and hearing aids, even security cameras and smart locks.

“These are investments of money and your trust. Smart locks, for example, you are trusting. You are investing your trust that the device will keep your home locked and security from people you don’t want entering your home,” said de Banate

If medical devices are no longer supported, for example, you could lose historical data, and put your health at risk if your doctor isn’t getting updates.

What’s also at risk here is your privacy.

There are a couple of easy steps to take to take advantage of these smart product investments and protect your home.

Start with your router. Upgrade it or update it, and regularly update smart devices.

If you aren’t using a device anymore because it isn’t supported, take it off the list on your router. That will prevent exposure to potential hackers.

De Banate says manufacturers who provide warranties for products that cost more than $15 are required under law to explain what the warranty does and does not cover including the length of software updates.

Our Scam Squad partners at the FTC have a website dedicated to securing your home internet-connected devices. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/securing-your-internet-connected-devices-home