Press release
Erie Insurance Offers Tips for Choosing Cyber-Safe Toys This Holiday Season
Follow these smart toy tips to mitigate risk of identity theft ERIE, Pa. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As the holiday season approaches and children build
About this update from Erie Indemnity Company
[{"type":"text","content":"Follow these smart toy tips to mitigate risk of identity theft \nERIE, Pa. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As the holiday season approaches and children build their gift lists, smart toys may be at the top of the list. By 2027, the smart toy market is expected to exceed $24 billion but internet-connected toys, which typically have a built-in microphone and speaker, can potentially expose children and others in their household to data or identity theft. Erie Insurance is offering tips on which toy features to watch for and monitor to ensure families have a safe and happy holiday.\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \nAccording to the Federal Trade Commission, smart toys run the risk of being accessed by criminals, just like any smart device. Erie Insurance, which offers coverage to help people recover from identity theft, is bringing attention to the risks and what parents should consider before purchasing a smart toy this year.\nWhat should I know about the toy? \nConduct an internet search to see if there are any articles or complaints regarding security or privacy issues. Using terms such as \"toy name\" + \"privacy\" will yield results.Research security updates by searching \"toy name\" + \"firmware\" or \"software\" update. If there is not an option to update the software, it may be an indication that the company does not regularly update its software, which could leave the toy vulnerable to security breaches.See what watchdog and safe harbor groups have to say. Reviews and recommendations are common for children's toys.What features should I understand? \nKnow what the microphone and speaker will be doing within the toy. Does it communicate back to the child and answer questions? Does it record? How long does it hold onto a recording? Be cautious about the data provided. It is essential to carefully review the terms, conditions and privacy policies to understand how the data collected will be used and protected.Determine the usage of Bluetooth on the toy. What does the Bluetooth connection do? Is there a PIN associated with it? Without a PIN, the Bluetooth connection can be accessed by anyone and monitored to find vulnerabilities. With a PIN, the connection is essentially locked, and other devices cannot access it.Understand what data is being accessed by the pairable app. Does it need access to an email or credit card? Does it connect...