A US intelligence chief just said the internet of things is a great way to spy on you

Laptops, cell phones, and many other connected devices we use every day have serious security software to protect you from snoops. But a new wave of smart thermostats, appliances, and other connected home devices may be less secure.

At least, that's the perspective of US director of national intelligence James Clapper. Here's an exerpt from testimony he submitted to the Senate on Tuesday, as reported in The Guardian:

"In the future, intelligence services might use the [internet of things] for identification, surveillance, monitoring, location tracking, and targeting for recruitment, or to gain access to networks or user credentials," Clapper said.

Clapper did not name an specific brands or types of devices as special concerns, nor did he indicate which agencies might want to hack into your smart home's data. However, it may be a good idea to pay extra attention to the security features of any new gadgets you bring into your home.

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