internet of things – PSafe Blog

These Are the Weirdest Internet of Things Objects

PSafe Newsroom — Mon, 01 May 2017 16:00:55 +0000

The Internet of Things (IoT) includes everyday household devices and appliances that have Bluetooth capabilities that connect them to the Internet. There have been some pretty cool — and useful — products that have come from the IoT. But not every IoT-enabled object works quite so well. The following will talk about five IoT objects that lean towards the bizarre.

Tangram Smart Rope

You may have thought that the joy of jump roping is very low-tech — it’s just a cord with a handle on either end. But according to the IoT, you are sorely mistaken. The Tangram Smart Rope counts your jumps with LEDs embedded in the rope projecting your current count in front of you. An app keeps track of your jumping stats, too.

ICPooch

You’ll have to give the 14-year-old girl who developed this IoT object credit because she developed the app as a teen. The device was a video chat device that gave owners the ability to chat with their dogs while they were out of the house. It also had the ability to dispense treats to dogs. Sadly, the ICPooch company ceased operation in 2016.

Inebriated Innovations

Want to brew your own beer but have no understanding about how to go about doing so? Even though you probably shouldn’t brew your own beer, Inebriated Innovations thinks otherwise. The IoT device gives you temperature probes that connect to your Wi-Fi, while its mobile app lets you control the heating and cooling of your beverage remotely.

RollScout

Sure, it’s annoying to run out of toilet paper, but do you really need to know — by email or by text — that your roll is empty? While this device seems particularly ridiculous for families, the creators of the app say it’s meant for small businesses, whose proprietors might not always check the bathroom. That makes more sense, but is it really worth $60?

The Whistle

If you’re all about fitness trackers then you might wonder: where’s a fitness tracker for my dog? Or, like most people, you might not wonder that because your dog is, well, a dog. Nevertheless, there’s a fitness tracker that monitors your pooch’s exercise. If someone has no idea if his or her dog is getting walked every day, that person might have problems with animal caretaking that this device can’t fix.

Introducing: Netatmo’s Internet of Things Products

PSafe Newsroom — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 15:00:22 +0000

Founded in 2011, Netatmo is a French company that specializes in the creation of Internet of Things (IoT) products that make your home more automated. The Internet of Things refers to any “everyday” appliance that uses a Wi-Fi connection to function, but it also can be used to describe smart TVs and routers. These Wi-Fi-connected objects are also known as smart objects.

While it can make your life simpler to connect all of your Wi-Fi-enabled devices to a single platform, it also makes sense to buy all of your smart home products from a single company — especially if that company makes products as cool as Netatmo does. When smart devices originate from the same company, they are often able to communicate better with one another. Do note, though, that there are also smart products that exist as “translators” to help smart products from different manufacturers communicate.

Still, in case you’d like to stick mostly with Netatmo, here are some of their most intriguing products:

Smart Thermostat

The Netatmo thermostat lets you control your home’s temperature remotely, using your smartphone. You can also set your device to start your home heating or cooling on a regular schedule. To schedule on your phone, you simply answer five questions about your habits, and then your device will regularly update your home’s temperature to your preference and schedule.

Indoor Security Camera with Face Recognition

The Netatmo Security Camera recognizes the people who should be in your house, and alerts you about those who shouldn’t be there. The camera sends you alerts about when people should arrive home — like, for example, your children or elderly parents — directly to your smartphone. Further, it will send you alerts about unknown faces, so you could stop a burglar or an unwanted guest.

Wind Gauge

This wind gauge will let you know the direction, speed, and gust temperature directly on your smartphone. Like Netatmo’s other devices, you can set alerts about wind speeds, as well as alerts about the “real” temperature outside. The device, which is meant to be placed outside, uses ultrasonic transducers to measure these wind factors.

Healthy Home Coach

This device monitors four factors in your home: humidity, temperature, air quality, and noise. If your home doesn’t reach peak conditions, you can change factors in your house, like turning on the humidifier or changing your temperature.

All You Need to Know About the Internet of Things

PSafe Newsroom — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 02:00:21 +0000

The term “Internet of Things” (IoT) seems like it’s everywhere these days. At its most basic, the Internet of Things describes the multitude of Wi-Fi-connected objects you can use in your home. While IoT-connected objects can be at risk of hacking, they can also make objects easier to use and more helpful. If you control your IoT objects with your phone, DFNDR will make sure everything in your home will remain safe. You should regularly scan your phone for any malware:

Now, though, let’s move on to the fun stuff! From a thermostat you can control with your phone, to an Internet-connected egg tray that lets you know when you need to restock, the IoT transforms everyday objects into futuristic — and intelligent — gadgets. The following will answer four of your most pressing questions about the IoT.

1) What are the different types of IoT-connected objects?

IoT-connected objects come in all kinds of categories. Some of them are home devices, like washing machines and coffee makers, that are controlled by you via the Internet. The healthcare and transportation industries are also developing IoT devices. An IoT device, for example, might let you monitor who is coming in and out of your house, while another might let you turn off your air conditioner remotely if you forget to do so when you leave for work.
Read More: The Internet of Things is at Risk of Hacking

2) How do these devices work?

IoT devices connect to your Internet, but they also connect to one another. Many of them use similar technologies as your phone, like Bluetooth, but creators are also developing different connection systems. Additionally, many devices rely on cloud systems that record your data so they can work better for you, i.e. turning off your lights at a certain time you’re gone from your home each day.

While some devices can talk to each other, all of your devices likely can’t communicate — there are too many different platforms and technologies. However, some companies are creating a technology that standardizes device communication, so anything might become possible.

3) What is the future of IoT?

Many companies are working on IoT devices. Companies you’ve likely heard of, like Apple, Google, and Samsung, are creating these kinds of devices. There will probably be somewhere around 25 billion IoT devices in use by 2020.

The Internet of Things is at Risk of Hacking

PSafe Newsroom — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 18:53:19 +0000

Today, we depend heavily on devices connected to us and to each other via wireless networks. These technologies have changed the way we do everything from conducting business to finding a date. But, how safe are our devices from hacking? Here are some of the everyday things that are at risk.

Mobile Devices — Hackers can access your phone, tablet, or laptop more easily when you’re jumping on unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Keep up on software updates and never install apps from untrustworthy sources.

Personal computers — Your home computer is a lot less likely to be hacked if you only use your secure home network to access the Internet. Of course, you still have to be vigilant about the sites you visit and the links you click on. Never install something you aren’t sure about, and don’t enter personal information on a non “https” site.

Commercial and Governmental Networks and Servers — The most talked-about hacks lately have been those targeting the computer networks of large corporations or government agencies. These hacks are often massive data harvesting operations, like the recent Yahoo! security breach.

Medical Devices — Yes, even medical devices are potentially at risk to be hacked. Medical devices that are connected to a wireless network are susceptible to infiltration. While no malicious medical device hacks have been attempted so far, the potential is enough to cause industry players to start taking steps to protect connected devices.

Appliances — So, could hackers get inside your TV, fridge, or toaster? Technically, yes. If you use smart appliances that are connected to the Internet, the potential for hacking exists. Of course, it’s not all that likely that someone is interested in hacking your refrigerator, but we should all be more aware of the devices we use and the vulnerabilities they might have.

Potentially, anything that connects to a wireless network can be hacked. For most people, it’s the mobile devices we carry around with us everyday that are at the highest risk. To ensure that your devices are safe from unwanted visitors, install a comprehensive security app with a high level of anti-virus protection like PSafe Total.

Connect All of Your Home’s Smart Appliances

PSafe Newsroom — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 21:00:03 +0000

Smart appliances should make your life easier — not harder. Although they are becoming increasingly common, it can still be difficult to connect all of your smart appliances on one device. But there are several devices currently available that attempt this feat. The following devices will allow you to connect your smart appliances on one device so that you can control and monitor your home effortlessly.

Samsung SmartThings Hub
SmartThings works with a variety of devices from different brands, which means it is one of the best smart hubs on the market. This device is available for about $75-$100 on Amazon. It offers a way to connect all of your smart appliances to one device, and control and monitor your home remotely through the free SmartThings app. The SmartThings hub can control devices like your smart lighting, locks, thermostat, and security cameras. Receive notifications on the status of your smart home, and set preferences for how you want your smart appliances to behave when you’re asleep or away from the home. You can even combine the SmartThings hub with Amazon Echo to control your smart home through voice commands. This feature, combined with all of the previously mentioned features, makes this smart hub one of the best smart hubs available now.

The Wink Hub
This smart hub is available for less than $70 from Amazon (or $90 from other sellers). This hub works with a variety of different connectivity options and devices from different brands. Like the SmartThings hub, you’ll control Wink through the Wink app. The app and hub essentially allow your smart devices to communicate with one another, so that you can control them all on one platform. Program your lights and A/C to turn on whenever you unlock your front door, for example.

The VeraEdge Hub
Another option for under $100, this smart hub will connect a variety of brands, and even other brand-specific smart hubs (like Nest). It can control hundreds of devices wirelessly. Create preferences for how your device should control your home when you’re at home or on vacation. Download the app to control your smart home from your phone, or even from your PC. For $50 more you can get the VeraPlus model, which allows you to more fully manage your home while you’re away. You can check in on your pets, receive alerts any time someone is in your home, and monitor your home while you’re away for possible flood damage from a storm.