Dennis Peacock,
A little learning is a dangerous thing, and I've made the mistake of skimming a lot of technology journals regarding AI and smart devices. The problem with my survey technique is that so often the feature that jumps out of the articles and papers are the ways by which every new technology is used against the users for commercial or criminal purpose. Notice how many more robo calls are coming over the phone despite do not call, nomorobo, and blockers? Last week, I noticed my main computer system was running strangely. When I opened the CPU activity monitor, I saw that all 16 threads were running simultaneously at nearly 100% and the GPU was at 62C- as hot as it gets. Those are conditions of maximum computer usage similar to running a very large, complex rendering. when I started a diagnostic program, all the parameters returned to idle. A little research revealed that this was a signal that my computer had been hijacked to min cryptocurrency. The crytocurrency frenzy has meant that hackers are finding idling devices and using them to mine cryptocurrency and this includes smartphones- anything with a processor. Remember the articles about surveillance hacking of Samsung smart TV's ? :
https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasb.../#69bde17f4bcd
Keep in mind that anything that happens over the Internet might be seen, recorded, manipulated, and/or stolen. There was a robbery of nearly $500,000,000 of Bitcoins a week or so ago- untraceable ATM machines were hacked to spew 20's all over the ground. If ATMS' can be hacked, so can your computers, smart phone, refrigerator, and soon, your self-driving car. If the system running your CNC is Internet connected, it may be possible for someone to download the files for your business or duplicate proprietary designs.
In response, I have a Samsung Galaxy 4 probably permanently in the drawer and instead I'm using a $30, old-fashioned flip phone that is only on when I'm in the car and has the GPS turned off. I have a 1080p internet camera/ mic for Skype, but when not used it is unplugged as these can be turned on- sound and picture transmitted without the on light showing. I do have a Samsung Smart TV, but it is a recent one that cured the hacking potential, plus there is no cable connection and it is not directly connected to the internet, it runs through a computer. I use a VPN- a virtual private network, and run anti-virus and anti-malware programs at least twice a week. Instead of Google I use DuckDuckGo, a web search engine that does not keep any records.
I'm not a paranoid, conspiracy theorist; it's not necessary as the conspiracies and events are reality. A friend of mine in Switzerland spent $2,500 in one year on computer virus repair. It's not feasible to live without devices without processors and Internet connections but until the security situation improves significantly, my idea is to stay as invisible to hackers as possible. If I need to know whether I need milk, I'll open the refrigerator door and the dishwasher can be switched on at lights out by pressing "Start".
Alan
PS: If you disagree, please send me your PIN number and I'll check the security free of charge.