Are your devices listening to you?

Increasingly we're surrounded by devices that have microphones. Not just our computers and smartphones, but smart home devices like Alexa and Echo and even our TVs.

The problem is these mics are not just accepting commands, they're listening to what's going on in the background too.

Panda Security has put together an infographic that looks at what devices might be listening in to our conversations and what steps we can take to protect ourselves.

Among its findings are that 88 percent of Americans say it's important that they not have someone watch or listen to them without their permission, and 65 percent say it’s important to know what information is being collected. Yet despite these fears, demand for voice-first devices (like Alexa or Echo) is expected to grow from 6.5 million in 2016 to nearly 25 million this year.

To protect yourself it's recommended that you use privacy menus to limit microphone access and activate the mute function when you're not actively using the device.

You can find out more about who might be listening and how the information could be used in the full graphic below.

Image Credit: jukai5/depositphotos.com