Alexa responds to voice commands from nearby radio (NPR)

[KeviNH]

Here's another strong incentive for Amazon to let us change the "Wake Word" from "Alexa" (or "Amazon") to something more obscure:

 

http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/amazon-s-alexa-went-bonkers-reset-user-s-thermostat-n536651

 

Basically, NPR broadcast a story about Amazon Echo, and some listeners found that their Echo acted on commands included in the audio.   If you want to try to recreate the effect, here's NPR archived audio: http://www.npr.org/2016/02/28/468446180/what-s-so-revolutionary-about-amazon-s-echo#

[Teken]

Here's another strong incentive for Amazon to let us change the "Wake Word" from "Alexa" (or "Amazon") to something more obscure:

 

http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/amazon-s-alexa-went-bonkers-reset-user-s-thermostat-n536651

 

Basically, NPR broadcast a story about Amazon Echo, and some listeners found that their Echo acted on commands included in the audio.   If you want to try to recreate the effect, here's NPR archived audio: http://www.npr.org/2016/02/28/468446180/what-s-so-revolutionary-about-amazon-s-echo#

 

I agree but this only high lights the fact some devices in the home should not be placed on voice control. There are people who truly believe its still OK to place the smart lock on voice control.

 

Trust me I get the novelty in all of this but people really need to dial back and take pause. I've been talking about Terminators SkyNet for what seems like forever and most people blow it off as paranoid and unrealistic.

 

What is unrealistic, foolish, and 50 kinds of stupid is to think automating every aspect of your life won't have a negative consequence to the end user(s).

 

20 years ago there was something in the order of less than 1% of the hackers in the world that even spent anytime to bother to hack a Mac OS.

 

Why?

 

Because it was irrelevant in the global market place and had zero impact to obtaining data, control, or otherwise. Fast forward to 2016 the Mac OS is right up there with Windows who has been the poster child of being hacked by the masses. Not a soul would have thought a cell phone would ever be a means to access and obtain critical data, location, voice, photo, ever.

 

Again, in the current period we all live in a cell phone is no longer a dumb analog device. It is a full on computer system that includes so many sensor arrays that it can be turned into any dreamed up tool.

 

With respect to the so called *Wake* word you can mark my words at some point someone will figure out how to hack the Amazon Echo where the hacker can turn on the microphone and listen in to your home / surrounding.

 

Anyone who doesn't believe this can be done hasn't been around systems long enough to understand. The only sure way to disable a such an issue is that the Echo has a physical switch that disconnects the microphone which it doesn't.

 

Anything electronic can be turned on/off and since software is so tightly integrated with the electronics at this point they are literally one in the same.

 

I can't speak to how others have protected themselves from such a obvious attack. But speaking for myself only I have my system physically disconnected during secure lock down or away modes.

 

Meaning nothing can restore power to the Amazon Echo until I physically enable the power. Anyone who believes the little electronic button on the top does the same thing is simply dreaming. 

Edited March 11, 2016 by Teken

[gregf]

Watch one of the YouTube videos about Alexa.

She gets all confused.

[DennisC]

I frequently find Echo responding to the TV and telling us she didn't understand or in some cases actually answering a question.

[ScottAvery]

Agree on redefining the wake word, but I imagine there is probably some issue with voice training, and I know for me it would be hard to train myself to use a new name.  Tried to rename both of my rescued dogs and the names from the shelters just stuck.

[MWareman]

Yeah... No 'spoken' words added for any locks or alarm system controls - except one on a program that locks the doors and sets the alarm. No way to unlock or disarm by voice....

[paulbates]

Yeah... No 'spoken' words added for any locks or alarm system controls - except one on a program that locks the doors and sets the alarm. No way to unlock or disarm by voice....

Yes.... one day a rare CNN story about an ELK seen outside of a PANIC at the disco concert..... First world problems