Learn how smart devices like robot vacuums, smartwatches, AI glasses and TV boxes can create privacy and security risks—and how to stay protected.

That shiny new gadget sitting in your online shopping cart might look harmless.

A smartwatch. A robot vacuum. A pair of AI-powered glasses. A cheap streaming stick.

But before you scratch that dopamine itch and hit Buy Now, remember: some connected devices can bring far more into your home than you bargained for.

Think of the Trojan horse.

In Greek mythology, the horse looked like a gift. The danger was hidden inside.

Today, the horse might be connected to your Wi-Fi.

And instead of soldiers, it could potentially be carrying surveillance risks, malware, botnet software or access to sensitive information.

Your smartwatch knows more than you think

Whenever a smartwatch tells you it is time to stand, exercise or sleep, it is a useful reminder of just how much information modern wearables can collect.

Heart rate. Location. Movement. Sleep patterns. Notifications. Sometimes even conversations, depending on the device and the permissions you give it.

That doesn’t automatically make a smartwatch dangerous. Most major manufacturers have security and privacy controls designed to protect this information.

But it does raise an important question:

How much of your life are you comfortable handing over to a device that is constantly connected?

The same question applies to smart speakers, cameras, TVs and other connected devices around your home.

Convenience and connectivity often come with a larger digital footprint.

When your robot vacuum becomes a security problem

Robot vacuums are supposed to do one thing: clean your floor.

But many modern models also have cameras, microphones, sensors, maps and internet connectivity.

That combination can make a poorly secured device surprisingly valuable to an attacker.

In 2026, a security flaw involving DJI’s Romo robot vacuum reportedly allowed researcher Sammy Azdoufal to access data from thousands of other devices. The exposed information included camera feeds, microphone audio, home maps and device locations. DJI subsequently said the issue had been addressed.

Think about what a floor map can reveal.

It could show the layout of your home.

A camera could show what is happening inside it.

A microphone could potentially capture conversations.

Suddenly, your robot vacuum isn’t just cleaning the living room.

It’s another computer sitting inside your home.

And unlike your laptop or phone, you probably aren’t thinking about its security every time you connect it to Wi-Fi.

Smart glasses: when the camera is on your face

Smart glasses take connected-device concerns a step further.

They can take photos, record video, capture audio and interact with AI without requiring you to pull out your phone.

That convenience is exactly what makes privacy so complicated.

Meta’s AI glasses, for example, include a capture LED designed to tell people nearby when the glasses are recording. Meta says newer generations can disable the camera when the LED is blocked or tampered with.

But researchers, journalists and privacy advocates have continued to raise concerns about the possibility of covert recording and misuse.

There have also been demonstrations showing how commercially available facial-recognition services can potentially be combined with images captured by smart glasses to identify people.

The technology itself isn’t necessarily malicious.

The problem is what happens when increasingly powerful sensors become small enough to wear without attracting much attention.

The privacy-shaped elephant in the room just got Bluetooth.

That bargain TV stick could be doing more than streaming

Now for one of the less glamorous devices on the list: the cheap Android TV box or streaming stick.

These devices can look like an incredible bargain.

Pay once. Plug it into your TV. Get access to a huge selection of content.

But security researchers have repeatedly warned about unofficial Android TV devices that come with questionable software or are compromised before they even reach the consumer.

In some cases, compromised devices have been turned into residential proxies, allowing other people to route internet traffic through the owner’s connection.

Other campaigns have used Android TV boxes for advertising fraud, web scraping and other malicious activity. Researchers have even found large botnets made up substantially of unofficial Android TV devices.

That means the device sitting quietly underneath your television could potentially be doing a side job you never agreed to.

And you might not notice.

Your internet may still work normally.

Netflix may still open.

The TV may still turn on.

Meanwhile, someone else could be abusing your connection in the background.

The problem isn’t just the device. It’s the ecosystem.

This is the important part.

A smart device doesn’t have to be deliberately malicious to become a security risk.

The risk can come from:

• Poorly secured manufacturer servers
• Outdated device software
• Weak or reused passwords
• Excessive app permissions
• Unofficial firmware
• Third-party applications
• Unpatched vulnerabilities
• Insecure default settings
• Devices that receive little or no security support

And once a device is connected to your home network, it becomes part of your digital environment.

Your router doesn’t necessarily know that the gadget you bought for ₹1,500 is trustworthy.

Neither does your phone.

Neither does your laptop.

So you need to think about it before connecting it.

Before you bring that gadget home

You don’t need to throw away every smart device you own.

You just need to treat connected gadgets like computers — because that’s essentially what many of them are.

Before buying a new smart device:

1. Check the manufacturer

Look for an established manufacturer with a track record of providing security updates.

2. Check what the device can access

Does it have a camera? Microphone? Location access? Contacts? Bluetooth? Your entire local network?

Understand what you’re giving it access to.

3. Avoid suspiciously cheap devices

A low price isn’t automatically a security warning, but an unknown device with questionable software and no clear update policy deserves extra caution.

4. Keep the device updated

Security vulnerabilities are discovered all the time. Firmware and app updates can patch them.

5. Change default passwords

Never keep a default password if the device allows you to change it.

6. Review permissions

If a basic gadget is asking for access that doesn’t make sense for its purpose, stop and ask why.

7. Put questionable IoT devices on a separate network

If your router supports guest networks or network segmentation, consider keeping less-trusted smart devices away from computers containing sensitive information.

So, should you stop buying smart devices?

No.

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, wearables, smart home products and AI-powered gadgets can genuinely make life easier.

The point isn’t to be paranoid.

It’s to be aware.

Your robot vacuum doesn’t need to be treated like a cybercriminal.

Your smartwatch doesn’t need to be thrown out the window.

And your TV doesn’t need to go back to the stone age.

But before you connect another gadget to your home network, take a moment to ask:

What does this device know about me?

What can it see?

What can it hear?

What can it access?

And perhaps most importantly:

Who else could potentially access it?

Because sometimes that shiny new gadget really is a gift.

But just like the Trojan horse, it’s worth looking inside before you bring it through the front door.

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FAQs about smart devices

Can smart devices be hacked?

Yes. Any internet-connected device can potentially contain security vulnerabilities. The risk depends on factors such as the manufacturer’s security practices, software updates, passwords, permissions and how the device connects to your network.

Are smartwatches a privacy risk?

Smartwatches can collect sensitive information such as health and fitness data, location, activity and notifications. Using a reputable manufacturer, keeping the device updated and reviewing app permissions can help reduce privacy and security risks.

Can a robot vacuum be hacked?

Potentially. Some robot vacuums contain cameras, microphones and detailed maps of your home. A vulnerability in the device or its associated cloud service could potentially expose this information.

Are cheap Android TV boxes safe?

Not necessarily. Security researchers have identified campaigns involving unofficial Android TV boxes that were used for activities such as advertising fraud and residential proxy networks. This doesn’t mean every inexpensive TV box is malicious, but unknown manufacturers, unofficial software and a lack of security updates should be treated as warning signs.

How can I protect smart devices on my home Wi-Fi?

Keep their software updated, change default passwords, review permissions and avoid installing apps or firmware from untrusted sources. If your router supports it, you can also place less-trusted IoT devices on a guest or separate network.

Should I avoid smart home devices altogether?

No. Smart devices can be useful and secure when purchased from reputable manufacturers and properly configured. The key is to understand what information the device collects, what permissions it requires and whether the manufacturer provides ongoing security updates.