Unsafe Smart Toys

Helping parents keep their children safe in a newly emerging digital world

In the digital age, children's toys are more vulnerable and can have Cyber Security risks because of the internet. Unsafe Smart Toys is a website that identifies toys for parents to be wary of because of their inherent cyber risks.

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Some Unsafe Toys

Hello Barbie

Hello Barbie is a doll that kids are supposed to be able talk with and get real time responses.

Vulnerabilities: This toy allows hackers to intercept the children's communication and reveal the passwords of the user on the app. It also can reveal connected accounts and other sensitive information. Any hacker could theoretically pair with the device and steal data from the barbie.

Cloud Pets

Cloud Pets are stuffed teddy bears that allow parents or family members to send recorded messages to the bear for their child.

Vulnerabilities: The database that all the cloud pets are connected to lacks a firewall or any defense on it. Around 800,000 emails and 2 million recorded messages were exposed. The bear itself lacks any defense, especially no pairing encryption on the Bluetooth connection between the bear and the sender. Within a range of 32 feet, anybody can connect to the toy, send a message to it, make the toy record audio without the user knowing, and download the recordings already on the device.

My Friend Cayla

My Friend Cayla is a interactive doll that can talk and answer questions from the owners. It uses Bluetooth to transmit everything it hears to a voice recognition company which can help the doll respond back.

Vulnerabilities: The Bluetooth function is vulnerable to hackers who can acquire all the data the doll collects. This means hackers can listen in on the children talking to the doll.

VTech Kidizoom

The Kidizoom is a kids smartwatch with applications suited to their age. This watch can take pictures, videos, and play games.

Vulnerabilities: The app for the device was hacked and exposed passwords. The watch can be connected to impostor networks set up by hackers, and the servers the devices were connected to were very susceptible to attack.

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Furby Connect

Furby Connect is a pet toy that tracks your child's habits and their location through an app on your phone. The Furby can connect to any device which can give the furby more actions. This toy also allows you to connect the furby with other furbies in close proximity.

Vulnerabilities: Furby's pairing feature is security free meaning anyone could connect to the Furby and do things like send audio files to it.

Stay Safe

How to stay safe

Even though toys are progressively getting more internet-bound that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy them for your kids. There are ways to have these toys and stay safe if you follow the right steps.

Always disconnect the toy from the internet when your not using it, or better yet, turn it off
Share as little information as possible in the apps that ask for you email, name, etc.
Change and manage passwords for these toys frequently
Do research on the toy you're about to buy - If it seems risky, don't buy it
Turn the toy's Bluetooth function off in public places - This will stop attackers from connecting to it
Consider buying a home network protection system - These can protect all your devices from attacks, even your toys