We live in a world where everything is at our fingertips. Literally. From our smart phones and smart watches, we have the ability to control our entire lives – from knowing how much milk you have in your fridge to unlocking your front door while you’re at work. Smart technology is turning everyday objects, such as a lightbulb or a plug, into the Internet of Things, where you can access and control them remotely.

While many people are concerned about privacy and security of these new devices, many survivors of abuse and stalking are worried about how an abusive person may misuse smart technology against them. A recent New York Times article discussed how smart technology are becoming new tools for abusers. For many survivors, their worries are more than just privacy and security – their worries include the abusive person’s access to those devices. In many cases, it’s the abusive person who bought the device, set it up, and knows how it works and how to access it.

Rejecting smart technology is not the right solution for everyone; however, you can take control of your smart devices by learning about the risk and knowing how to increase your privacy and security. Our new handout breaks down concerns about smart devices and offers some tips on how to increase your safety when using smart devices.

Privacy and security for Internet of Things

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