Do you ask Siri, Alexa, or Google with help around the house or on your smartphone? New research shares why that might be dangerous.

Last month ,University of California Berkeley researchers published an article that is alarming for those with voice-activated smart devices. The computer security researchers were able to hide commands in musical and spoken word audio recordings. What could that mean? In the future while you watch a viral video of someone giving a speech or a band performing, that your Amazon Echo could be adding something to your shopping list, or your Siri could be sending money through an app to a scammer.

Two years ago, in prior studies Berkeley and Georgetown University found similar, scary results. The researchers could hide commands for changing phone settings and opening websites in white noise recordings and Youtube videos. This was all without being detected by the human ear.

As technology expands and becomes more sophisticated, we need to be mindful of how criminals can exploit weaknesses. What can you do?

1. Monitor your accounts. Be on the lookout for unauthorized transactions and report anything you don’t recognize.

2. Don’t keep your devices unlocked. The extra step may prevent a hacker from making a change without your consent.

3. Keep password protection on for important apps and device settings. Though tedious for you, the extra security may prevent trouble down the road.

As the number of smartphones and artificially intelligent devices rise, it’s important that we stay smart too.

Have a tech issue or question? Email katie. lexchron@gmail.com