“I would be immediately cautious about any new method that can trigger phone calls ‘from me’—because others with access to my Alexa device could thus make (or accept) phone calls on my behalf,” David Kotz, a professor of computer science at Dartmouth College, told Lifewire in an email.
Giving Up Control
Kotz is the lead investigator for the Security and Privacy in the Lifecycle of IoT for Consumer Environments (SPLICE) project, a $10 million National Science Foundation research program aimed at improving security and privacy in homes that use smart devices. He said that given the number of web-based platforms using the phone as a second form of authentication (aka 2FA, two-factor authentication), including banking, he would be reluctant to give this control to housemates or houseguests. “We can anticipate increasing tie-ins among different categories of ‘smart’ devices, including both mobile and home-based devices… giving home residents increased convenience for access to information or capabilities provided by the other devices.”
Service Expansion
Encryption Security
Linking your AT&T account to your Alexa device is simple: Open the Alexa app on your phone and go to settings, select the communication sub-menu, tap the AT&T button, then just follow instructions. Once linked to your account, you can dial numbers and use voice commands like, “Alexa, call Mom” or by dictating a phone number. With incoming calls, which includes caller ID, you can use commands like “Alexa, answer.” AT&T’s NumberSync service allows users to make and receive calls on smartwatches, tablets, computers, and, now, Alexa devices. AT&T calling is available on post-paid plans for customers who have a compatible HD-voice mobile phone.
Security is a Priority
Kotz said the rapid development of technology in smart homes and smart devices will continue, making security and privacy an ongoing priority. “The technology in the average home today is radically different from even a decade ago and is likely to change even more rapidly in the coming years,” he said. “Home is a place where people need to feel safe from prying eyes.” Nina Amla, lead program director for NSF’s Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace Frontiers program, believes investments in programs like SPLICE will help us keep our homes secure and private in the future. “Cybersecurity is one of the most significant economic and national security challenges facing our nation today,” Amla said in a statement. “NSF’s investments in foundational research will transform our capacity to secure personal privacy, financial assets, and national interests.” For AT&T users, now all you have to say is, “Alexa, call Mom.” But you still may want to consider who may be listening.
