Commands Through the Wall! Alexa Says, “Play Music”... The Intruder Says, “Play Horror!”

In a world where our homes pulse with smart devices, speakers like Google Home and Alexa have become more than just tools for playing music or checking the weather. Without your notice, they could turn into gateways for creepy commands… or frightening messages in the middle of the night.

The problem?

Many smart speakers allow Bluetooth connections without any verification code, especially when left on default settings. That means someone nearby, even sitting in a car outside, could potentially pair their phone and start broadcasting audio straight into your home. Imagine waking up at night to loud music or a strange voice playing in your bedroom!

In 2023, a California resident shared his experience on Reddit: his Google Home speaker randomly started playing songs at night. After a few incidents, he discovered that his neighbor was pranking him from the car, having realized the speaker didn’t require a PIN to connect.

Smart fix:

• Enable PIN verification when pairing: Go into your speaker settings and turn on the option to request a code for new device connections.

• Turn off Bluetooth when not in use: If you don’t need it, disable it to reduce risk.

• Use a guest Wi-Fi network: Keep your smart speaker off the main home network to limit exposure.

• Check activity logs: Use the Google Home or Alexa app to regularly review commands and connected devices.

The issue isn’t the speaker itself, it’s overlooking its security settings. Securing your smart speaker doesn’t require an expert, just a few minutes that bring peace of mind and protect your home from unwanted surprises.

Lock the sound. Protect your space. 🎧🔐