When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
Yes, you read that right, your roast turkey might be stealing your data.
Before you click off, hear me out.
Believe it or not, even yourmeat thermometer can become a smart machine.
It’s one of the quickest VPNs out there, hitting speeds of over 950 Mbps.
It’s great for streaming, and can unblock all your favourite shows.
What is a smart meat thermometer?
You select what jot down of meat you’re cooking and can monitor it from anywhere.
Why are smart devices risky?
Smart devices are everywhere, with the average household having 23 connected devices.
The more interconnected we are, the more we are at risk.
Smart devices now go beyond just laptops, phones, and TVs evenyour air fryer is spying on you.
Every smart rig requires an app, and for you to put in your details and personal information.
The devices and apps collect an excessive amount of data, and request “risky” permissions.
Smart TVs are also very data hungry, with their homepages littered with ads and points of data collection.
However, many steps are mandatory, and rejecting them can affect the performance of your gear.
They’re full of trackers, and the data collected includes location, search history, and audio data.
These speakers are known to store your audio recordings, but on some speakers these can be deleted.
Enjoying your favourite songs and artists in 2024 is more risky than ever.
But can you protect yourself?
The fewer smart devices you own, the more reduced your risk is.
The first step is to be aware of what you’re signing up for and consenting to.
You should always opt-out of non-essential data collection and only share what you’re comfortable with.
Familiarise yourself with the machine, and company’s, privacy policies and check app permissions.
Understand what data is being collected and how.
Always ensure you delete audio recordings from smart speakers.
Data removalis another option if you’re concerned about how much of your data is out there.
Services such as DeleteMe andIncognicontact data brokers on your behalf, and submit data deletion requests.
Leading VPN providersSurfsharkandExpressVPNboth include data removal services in some of their plans.
Can VPNs help?
But when it comes to speakers, thermometers, and air fryers, it’s a different story.
The best way to protect every smart unit in your home is to set up arouter VPN.
Installing a router VPNcan be tricky, but thebest router VPN, ExpressVPN, offers the simplest solution.
If you want an even easier, but admittedly more expensive option, then ExpressVPN offers its ownAircove router.
This router is pre-loaded with VPN protection, so all you have to do is plug it in.
It has a nice range of apps, and is very easy to use.
It boasts class-leading privacy, and up to 8 devices can be protected.
But consider what this means, what data they’re collecting, and how they’re using it.
There are ways to protect yourself and sharing these with families and friends will help protect them as well.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses.
For example: 1.
Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services.
Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
