As someone who makes a living as a tech safety expert, I’m constantly asked if smart devices can be hacked. I always answer with this: If it’s connected to Wi-Fi, then it can be hacked. The same is true for Alexa, but don’t be too worried. There are some simple things you can do to protect yourself.

Can Alexa Be Hacked?

If a hacker can gain access to your home’s Wi-Fi network, they can access to anything connected to it. However, we haven’t found any reports of an Alexa device being hacked by someone with nefarious intentions.

On This Page

Earlier this year, researchers from London’s Royal Holloway University and the University of Catania in Italy found a weakness they dubbed “Alexa versus Alexa.” In this case, researchers gained access by getting Alexa devices to say malicious commands to themselves. Thankfully, hackers can’t do this without installing malware first. So if you take precautions, there’s not much worry about this one.

While not exactly hacking, there are instances of someone stealing an Alexa device to find out information about the owner, or Alexa telling people to do weird stuff.

How To Tell if Alexa Is Hacked

Here are some signs your Alexa may have been tampered with:

What To Do If Alexa Is Hacked

If you suspect your Alexa has been hacked, unplug it immediately. Then take these steps:

The listening light comes on without you saying the trigger word.

You look at your Alexa-enabled skills and notice some you didn’t add.

Here are more tips on how to fight back after your smart devices are hacked.

File a report with your local law enforcement so they can investigate.

Change the passwords to any accounts linked to your Alexa.

Factory reset your router by pressing and holding the reset button for 10 seconds. Then change the password.

How To Secure Alexa

You can keep your Alexa safe from hacking with these easy prevention tips:

Be careful about the skills you enable. Some could be malicious. Look for skills from reputable companies, or with hundreds of good reviews.

Use strong passwords with capital letters, symbols and numbers. Here are some tips.

Reboot your router every 14 days to refresh the IP address. This will throw off potential hackers.

Change the device’s trigger word from “Alexa” to another name. To do this, say, “Alexa, change the wake word.”