We all know about the Amazon Echo that recorded a couple at home in Oregon, and sent the conversation to a friend. That's not ideal. But security hackers actually found a way to turn the Echo into a spyware device, listening without people knowing. Amazon fixed this security flaw quickly, and the hack required that a modified Echo gain access to the same network used by other Echos in a home. Someone could gift a modified Echo maliciously to someone, and have the install it in their house.

Hacks like these are much more difficult as they require some physical proximity and access to other devices. Still, password protection is a good move here, and not just at the device level but at the router level. Consumers can also consider creating guest access Wi-Fi passwords for visitors who visit their homes, which can be routinely changed then when people leave.