However, while there are good reasons parents should think twice before buying tech toys for their kids, as you will read below, security risks aren’t just confined to gadgets for children.Īs the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) rapidly becomes reality as more and more objects are embedded with electronics, software, sensors and network connectivity that enables them to collect and exchange data, how many of your Christmas gifts could be the equivalent of the Trojan Horse? It was a decisive end to the Trojan War when the Greeks used subterfuge to enter the city of Troy, hiding some of their army inside a huge wooden horse. Did we just say Vtech?Īccording to gizmag, today’s kids expect their toys to connect to the internet, pair with smart devices, and let them join in the latest tech trends, often before their parents. The Toy Retailers Association has revealed its list of the 12 toys expected to be most popular at Christmas 2015 in the UK, predicting the number one gift could be Vtech’s Baby Toot-Toot Friends Busy Sounds Discovery House. Tech toys, WIFI enabled games, wearable devices, tablets, mobile phones and even big-ticket items like laptops are already predicted to be among some of the most popular gifts this Christmas.
These days, if the festive wrapping paper, gift boxes, cellophane and ribbons under your tree disguise tech toys and mobile devices, the threat could be more invisible – and potentially even more costly. Once upon a time, a Christmas tree surrounded by elaborately wrapped gifts represented a security threat because the festive season has traditionally been the busiest time on the burglar’s calendar.