60 million households in the U.S. use smart devices at home.

While Smart devices can make our lives more convenient, but they can also come at the expense of our privacy.

Smart home devices can be hacked and used to spy on you.

Cybercriminals can inject spyware into your smart devices if they are left connected to the internet

KNOW THE SIGNS THAT YOUR DEVICE HAS BEEN HACKED

1 in 2 Americans are unaware that their webcam can be hacked. A blinking light next to your laptop camera means the webcam is in use.

A quicker battery drain could mean your camera is constantly in use by a hacker

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS THAT CAN HELP YOU PROTECT YOURSELF FROM PRYING EYES

Covering your camera with a piece of black tape can offer privacy

Turning off your router when you leave can lower utility bills and minimize the chances of hackers hijacking your systems

Turn off your Wi-Fi when you leave to prevent hacking

You should also be careful about what you say around voice assistant devices, as they can record and store your conversations

Keeping your device's software up to date can help patch security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit

Smart devices can also collect data about your habits and activities, which can be sold to third-party advertisers. It's important to read the device's privacy policy and opt-out of data collection if possible