Have you ever wished you could keep an eye on your home or office without anyone noticing? Well, now you can with new sneaky lightbulb cameras. The invention combines the functionality of a lightbulb and a live video camera in one perfect spying tech device.

But are they secure? That’s a question many people have, including Cheryl from Florida.

“Hi Kurt, I recently read an article or advertisement about lightbulb cameras. They would be hooked up via the Wi-Fi. Are they secure?”  – Cheryl, Florida

This is a great question because most people may not know how to operate lightbulb cameras because they are so new to the market. Let’s go more in depth about what they are and how they operate so that we all have a better understanding of what these new products can do for you.

Lightbulb cameras are designed to look like regular lightbulbs. However, they come equipped with a camera that captures high-quality video footage. (Cyberguy.com)

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What are lightbulb cameras?

Lightbulb cameras are designed to look like regular lightbulbs. However, they come equipped with a camera that captures high-quality video footage.

You can install them anywhere you have a light socket, and they will record everything that happens in your space. You can also watch the live feed from your smartphone or computer anytime you want. Lightbulb cameras are the perfect solution for discreet and convenient security.

Some of the best lightbulb security cameras also offer additional features such as motion detection, night vision and two-way audio communication.

MORE: TOP PICKS TO AMP UP YOUR HOME SECURITY

Why would I want to purchase a lightbulb camera?

Lightbulb security cameras do have some features you may not be able to get with a traditional security camera. One thing about them is they are typically wireless and do not take any extra wiring to work, which means they’re easy to install.

Another perk of having a lightbulb security camera is it can rotate close to 360 degrees. This means that you will have a wide variety of coverage and will be able to tilt to every angle, so you can pretty much see the entire area of where the camera is installed rather than just one specific angle that a traditional camera might give you.

A lightbulb camera (Cyberguy.com)

One of the best parts of having one is it looks just like a regular lightbulb, so it can capture exactly what an intruder is doing without the intruder even noticing he’s being watched.

See my 5 best picks for light bulb security cameras

What are some downsides that I should be aware of?

A big concern when it comes to using any new device is your privacy being compromised. Imagine finding one of these in a public restroom or changing room at a clothing store. Be on the lookout for a sinister installation that could intrude on your life since these are available to anyone. Without directly looking at the lightbulb camera, you may just think it’s a regular light bulb lighting the room.   

On the cybersecurity side, it is important to note that any device connected to the internet can be vulnerable to hacking. As a rule of thumb, I avoid using cameras inside my own home having covered so many creepy stories about how hackers pry into them.

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However, most lightbulb cameras come with built-in encryption and password protection to prevent unauthorized access. If the one you buy comes with a default password, you should change it and use a strong password for added security that contains capital and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.

Additionally, I advise you to keep your firmware up to date and avoid using public Wi-Fi networks when accessing your camera’s feed.

MORE: IS YOUR DOORBELL CAMERA VULNERABLE TO JAMMING OR INTERFERENCE?

Lightbulb cameras plug into ordinary light sockets (Cyberguy.com)

Kurt’s key takeaways

Overall, light bulb cameras can be a great addition to your home security system. Although, it is important to do your research before purchasing one and ensure that you take the necessary precautions to protect your privacy and security, 

I think that many people will get some great use out of them. See my 5 best picks for lightbulb security cameras.

What security camera have you had the most success with? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Imagine going to a baseball game, and instead of showing your ticket, you just smile at a camera to gain entry. That’s what some fans are experiencing as they visit stadiums that have facial recognition technology.

Facial recognition is becoming more popular in sports venues around the world, especially as the MLB playoffs are heating up. According to some estimates, more than 20 stadiums in the world are already using or testing this technology. Many other stadiums have expressed interest in implementing facial recognition in their stadiums as well.

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What is facial recognition?

Facial recognition is a form of artificial intelligence (AI) that can identify and verify your identity by analyzing your facial features. This technology scans your face and matches it with a database of ticket holders, allowing you to enter the stadium without any hassle. It can be used for various purposes: security, convenience, personalization, and marketing.

AI integration into sports stadiums

AI technology has been increasingly integrated into our lives, with no end in sight. Recently, it has been making its way into professional sports as well. Teams are primarily using AI in three ways: to enhance the fan experience, for real-time access to deeper data on their own team’s players and their opponents, and to improve internal corporate workflow, as well as facial recognition systems.

AI facial recognition (Cyberguy.com)

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Facial recognition in stadiums

Facial Recognition kiosks have been popping up in numerous stadiums across the country. Stadiums are attempting to essentially end paper ticket sales and have your face be your ticket. Over 50 professional stadiums are planning to integrate this into their stadium shortly, while there are already many that are already testing or using it including:

• Citi Field, in New York City, home of the Mets baseball team, made history by becoming the first MLB team to officially implement a facial recognition ticketing system through a program called Mets Entry Express.
• Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, home of the Phillies baseball team
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, home of the Falcons football team and the United soccer team
• Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, home of the Broncos football team
• FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, home of the Browns football team
• Progressive Field, home of Cleveland Guardians, partnered with Clear to grant ballpark visitors expedited entry in exchange for their biometrics information
• Pechanga Arena, the home stadium for San Diego’s soccer and hockey teams, partnered with a firm called PopID to implement facial recognition-based ticketing
• Lower.com Field, in Columbus, Ohio, which is the home stadium for the Columbus Crew professional soccer team, has “Express Entry” for facial recognition ticketing
• The Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, stands out as one of the earlier facial recognition adopters. The facility began using facial recognition at metal detectors around 2017 to keep tabs on VIPs, credentialed personnel, or even potentially dangerous individuals
• FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, which uses facial recognition for entry
• Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, which uses facial recognition for ticketing
• Sun Devil Stadium at Arizona State University in Tempe, which was being used as a “living lab” to employ facial recognition technology that will analyze how fans feel based on their facial expressions
• Tropicana Field in Florida, where the Tampa Bay Rays play their home games, is also interested in adopting facial recognition technology

As more and more stadiums plan to integrate this technology, it faces a lot of controversy.

MORE: STOP FACIAL RECOGNITION CAMERAS FROM MONITORING YOUR EVERY MOVE

Benefits of facial recognition for sports venues include:

• It can provide a frictionless and contactless way of entering the stadium and buying concessions, which can improve fan experience and safety.
• It can help with security and crowd management by detecting potentially dangerous people before they enter the stadium or cause trouble.
• It can help with fan engagement and personalization by collecting data on fan demographics, preferences, emotions, and behaviors, which can be used to tailor music, lighting, entertainment, and marketing to the fans.

Challenges and risks of using facial recognition

Facial recognition technology is not widely accepted by everyone. It also raises some ethical and social concerns, such as privacy, accuracy, bias, and consent.

Some people are skeptical or fearful of Artificial Intelligence, which is still a relatively new and untested field. The lack of regulation and oversight in the AI industry raises questions about the safety and privacy of this technology.

Some people may feel uncomfortable or violated by having their face scanned by a machine. Others may worry about potential misuse or abuse of their biometric data by hackers or authorities.

Baseball stadiums to include AI facial recognition instead of tickets (Cyberguy.com)

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Privacy experts are worried about the way data can be shared with law enforcement and the expanding surveillance network it creates. Katie Kinsey, chief of staff of the Policing Project at NYU Law, stated, “Often times, law enforcement only needs to ask these companies to hand it over; no process is required.”

Illinois, Texas, and Washington have enacted laws that regulate the use of facial recognition technology.

Another big issue with Facial Recognition so far is that it has proven to be somewhat inaccurate. When this software is having issues and not working correctly, it has proven to misidentify people of color. With stadiums having exclusion lists, this proves problematic as you could be misidentified and kicked out for a software issue.

How can we ensure that our facial data is not misused or compromised?

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If given the choice, opt out of facial scans whenever possible. Some places may offer you the option to decline facial recognition and use other methods of identification or verification. For example, you can use a physical ticket instead of your face to enter a stadium.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Ultimately, whether you are ready or not, AI and facial recognition are making their way into sports stadiums regardless of the controversy and issues surrounding it. Within the next few years, you can expect the majority of sports stadiums to be using Facial Recognition technology.

While facial recognition can offer many benefits for fans, such as faster entry, enhanced security, and personalized experiences, it also raises some concerns about privacy, accuracy, and ethics.

Baseball stadiums to include AI facial recognition instead of tickets (Cyberguy.com)

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Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

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If you’re like me, you probably use your smartphone for many of life’s essentials including to convert units of measurement. Whether you need to convert miles to kilometers, pounds to kilograms, or Celsius to Fahrenheit, there’s an app for that. 

But have you ever wondered what these apps do with your data? Do they track your location, your device, your usage, or even your identity? And if they do, can you stop them by using a VPN? That’s exactly what Gilbert, from Cartersville, GA, is asking.

“I’ve been looking through the Apple App Store for a unit conversion app. I’ve noticed that almost all of them state that they track your data like user ID, user device, usage, location, etc. Will the use of a VPN prevent them from tracking me?”

Gilbert, Cartersville, GA

This is an excellent question, Gilbert, as I know we’ve recommended using a VPN numerous times before to help prevent your information from being tracked while browsing the web.

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Will apps track me if I’m using a VPN?

A VPN can help you hide your IP address from the unit conversion apps, but it may not be enough to prevent them from tracking you. Some apps may use other methods to collect and share your data, such as browser fingerprinting, tracking cookies, device identifiers, or permissions.  These methods can reveal information about your device, browser, location, preferences, and behavior, even if you use a VPN. Therefore, a VPN is not a foolproof solution for online privacy but rather a useful tool that can enhance your security and anonymity.

A VPN masks an IP address

While a VPN masks your real IP address, apps can still collect and track the IP address of the VPN server you are connected to. They can also potentially gather other identifying information from your device or through other means.

A VPN encrypts internet traffic

VPNs do encrypt your internet traffic. However, the level of encryption can vary depending on the VPN protocol and settings. Encrypted data is more challenging for apps to interpret, although it is not foolproof. Some apps may employ techniques to bypass VPN encryption or collect other non-encrypted data.

A VPN enhances online privacy and security

Ultimately, while using a VPN can enhance your online privacy and security, it does not guarantee complete anonymity or prevent all forms of tracking by apps.

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A VPN can maximize your online security. (CyberGuy.com)

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How to protect your privacy when using apps

You should also check the privacy policies and settings of the apps you use and limit the data access and sharing permissions they request.

You should also use a secure browser that blocks third-party cookies and trackers and clear your browsing history and cache regularly.

If you want to find a unit conversion app that respects your privacy, you can look for apps that have a clear and transparent privacy policy, that do not require unnecessary permissions or data access, and that do not share your data with third parties.

You can also check the reviews and ratings of other users to see their feedback on the app’s privacy practices.

Using a VPN does not necessarily protect you from all the threats that these apps pose to your privacy. A VPN can only encrypt your data and hide your IP address, but it cannot prevent the apps from collecting your personal information, accessing your contacts, or tracking your online behavior. Therefore, you need to be careful about what apps you install and what permissions you grant them.

SNEAKY LIGHTBULB SECURITY CAMERAS ARE THE NEXT BIG THING IN HOME SECURITY

Can I use any VPN? Even a free one?

So, with that in mind, I wouldn’t recommend using just any VPN service, especially one that is free. You always get what you pay for, and having a subscription VPN service is more likely to guarantee your privacy than one that doesn’t charge. Those that don’t charge might have ways of tracking you even if they claim not to. Plus, free VPN services have a higher risk of being infiltrated with malware, give a slower online connection, and are likely to have tons of ads. You want to ensure that your VPN service is reputable, has good reviews, and has a clearly stated no-logging policy.

Read more of my reviews for best VPNs here

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VPNs that are paid for may be a better option than free ones. (CyberGuy.com)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Ultimately, using a VPN enhanced your online privacy and security, but it does not guarantee apps from collecting your personal data. 

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

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Imagine scrolling through social media only to stumble upon a version of yourself promoting some random brand, or maybe starring in a commercial you’ve never seen, or perhaps even endorsing a political stance you’ve never taken. A bizarre reality, right?

This eerie scenario isn’t far off for Tom Hanks, who recently found his AI-generated twin making a pitch for a dental plan. With an uncanny resemblance to Hanks, this digital doppelganger was seen zealously promoting a dental plan that promises a smile as captivating as the actor’s.

The AI-generated Hanks seemed to have taken on the role of a dental specialist, making promises of pristine pearly whites. Unfortunately, Tom had a bone to pick with this digital impostor.

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Hanks sounds the alarm

The actor took to Instagram to express his displeasure at his AI twin’s unauthorized dental promotion. Hanks clarified to his 9.5 million followers that he had no hand in this dental endorsement. His post, paired with a screenshot of the AI-generated video, had the caption, “BEWARE!! There’s a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it.”

WHY YOU MIGHT BE ASKED TO FLASH A SMILE INSTEAD OF A TICKET THE NEXT TIME YOU ENTER A SPORTS STADIUM

The double-edged sword of digital recreation

This isn’t the first rodeo for Hanks in the realm of digital recreation. The actor has previously navigated the waters of AI and CGI in film. Notably, in 2004, Hanks starred in “The Polar Express,” a film that leveraged CGI to bring a digital version of him to life.

Tom Hanks warned about “an AI version of me” being used in a dental ad. (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFI, File)

Fast-forward to 2022, Hanks was digitally de-aged in the film “A Man Called Otto,” showcasing a growing trend in the industry. Unfortunately, with the advancement of such technology, deepfakes or AI-generated images or videos resembling a real person without their permission are also growing in popularity.

SNEAKY LIGHTBULB SECURITY CAMERAS ARE THE NEXT BIG THING IN HOME SECURITY

How celebs are fighting back against unauthorized use of their likeness 

Gayle King recently posted to social media warning her followers about a weight-loss drug ad that used her likeness yet was not in fact endorsed by her. This growing trend has not gone unnoticed and although Meta has not commented on either case, it did, however, remind users that, “it is against our policies to run ads that use public figures in a deceptive nature in order to try to scam people out of money.”

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Strikes in Tinseltown

The whole scenario with Tom Hanks and his digital twin does open up a bigger can of worms. It’s not just about one-off unauthorized commercials but a broader concern in Hollywood. Recently, we saw the writers’ strike that lasted 148 days. They were hashing out stuff around AI, streaming pay and getting better rates. Now, it’s the actors’ turn to step up.

They’ve been on strike since mid-July under the SAG-AFTRA banner. And from the look of things, AI is also a big part of their beef with the industry bigwigs. They finally sat down for a serious chat with the producers recently. And guess who was at the table? The top dogs from Disney, Netflix and Warner Bros., who were also around to settle the writers’ strike.

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SAG-AFTRA has been striking in Hollywood over many issues, some of which concern the use of AI. (CyberGuy.com)

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This tiff isn’t just about today or tomorrow. It’s about what Hollywood looks like in the age of AI. Hanks’ unexpected rendezvous with his AI self in a dental ad is just the tip of the iceberg. And as AI continues to make waves, it’s clear that everyone – from actors to writers – is keen to figure out where they stand as the script of reality gets rewritten by codes and algorithms.

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Deepfake dystopia

The digital can of worms doesn’t stop at Hollywood. The advent of deepfake technology has set forth a tidal wave of digital dilemmas, with public figures and celebrities caught in the eye of the storm. From politics to revenge pornography, the nefarious use of deepfakes underscores a pressing need for robust legal frameworks.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Hanks’ encounter with his AI doppelganger serves as a stark reminder of the double-edged sword that is AI technology. Imagine seeing Marilyn Monroe and Keanu Reeves in a rom-com, or a thriller starring young Robert De Niro and Halle Berry – this isn’t just a pipe dream anymore. Thanks to AI technology, digitally recreating or de-aging actors for roles beyond their years or even posthumously could be a reality.

However, as the lines between reality and digital fabrication continue to blur, the onus falls on both the tech community and legal systems to steer the ship through these uncharted waters. The intertwining of AI, legal frameworks and ethical considerations is a narrative that will continue to evolve, shedding light on the digital frontier that lies ahead.

Do you believe this tech is a ticket to endless cinematic adventures, or is it just a gateway to unsolicited use of a star’s likeness? What’s your take? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.