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  – So a smart home technology
  are technology you bring home
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to install in your house that   is connected
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to the internet and has
  some smart capabilities.
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For example, a television these
  days that talks to Netflix
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is an internet-connected,
  smart home technology.
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  So there is a wide range of devices
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that people include in
  smart home technology.
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Televisions, for example,
  refrigerators, microwave ovens,
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coffee makers, thermostats,
  smart speakers.
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What people use with Alexa
  or Google or Apple home,
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these kinds of voice-based   technologies.
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Smart light bulbs, furnaces,
  dog control systems,
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water sprinkler   systems, all of these
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that connect to the internet
  and can have some computing
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and interaction with the world
  are smart home technologies.
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So a lot of people seek
  out this technology
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for the benefits that it
  offers, such as convenience.
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Voice-based   technologies allows you
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to have hands-free access to
  internet services or security.
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Maybe it's a smart door lock
  or a smart security camera
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or safe entry system   that allows you
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to have more physical
  security around your home
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or home management, so smart
  blinds that go up and down
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with this sun or that
  automatically measure the hydration
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in your garden and add
  water are all different ways
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and benefits of smart home technology.
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  So one challenge with
  smart home technology
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is that there may be some   risks.
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Because these devices are
  connected to the internet,
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they can be remotely   accessed
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by other people on   the internet.
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Most of them are designed
  not for that purpose,
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but some, unfortunately, have
  flaws that enable someone,
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for example, to hack
  into your security camera
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and observe what the   camera observes.
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So there are   privacy risks
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and it's something you need to   be aware of
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when you choose this technology.
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  So if you're thinking about
  buying smart home technology,
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you should think about a   couple of things.
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First, think about the privacy   policies
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because, in some cases,
  the information collected
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by the device goes to the
  vendor or other third parties
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and you may have some control
  over that, or you may not.
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So check   that out.
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Second, when you install   the device,
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make sure you read the
  instructions and configure it
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for security to make sure
  there's a strong password
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or that you have the latest
  firmware or software installed
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to reduce the possibility of
  external hacks of your device.
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And third, look around for
  reviews of these products
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from third-party,
  consumer-oriented institutions
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that have looked hard
  in a very technical way
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at the privacy or security
  aspects of those devices.
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So if you're thinking   about installing
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smart home technology,
  make sure you think about
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all of the people who   reside in your home
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or who might visit   your home.
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It's not just you,   the homeowner,
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but your partner, your
  children, family members,
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or other guests who come into
  the house, domestic workers.
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All of these people have
  potential interactions
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with the smart home technology,
  perhaps unintentionally.
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For example, a security
  camera observes people
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who come into your home
  and they, all those people,
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have privacy interests of   their own.
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And, also, anyone who
  has access to the device
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may also cause a   security risk.
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And so just think carefully   about how
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and where and what   you deploy
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and who might be impacted
  by that technology.