Today on Computer Insider, we start with a dire warning form security analysts who are warning that with smart technology expanding at an unprecedented pace, that we are opening vulnerabilities that could have dire consequences. Wow. What a bunch of idiots. Maybe it’s just me, but I just don’t see how having a smart thermostat becomes a problem. What are they thinking? That the gas company is going to hack into my furnace and turn of the temperature? Or maybe it’s that somehow your wall thermostat has a deal going with your online banking app to prepay your gas bill? I just don’t see how a smart fridge presents anything other than good opportunities for households. Obviously, you need to use the basic software that comes with these things to offer some basic protection, but I just don’t see the criminal underworld breaking into the security on my garage door opener to remotely open and close it. We’re living in an era where everything can be interconnected. You can turn house lights on and off, change their colour, increase or decrease the temperature on your thermostat, lock and unlock your front door and maintain a shopping list in your fridge, all from apps on your smartphone. Enjoy the convince, follow the instructions from the manufacturer, and while you are enjoying all this convincing, remember that it wasn’t all that long ago that you had to get out of your chair and walk over the TV change stations.

Reporting for Computer Insider, I’m Bob Pritchard