Amazon launched “Amazon Key” in October, a package delivery service inside the home by a delivery man, but for now, it is not safe
The world’s largest e-commerce company, Amazon, now has an innovative service. This is Amazon Key, which could be translated into Spanish as the Amazon key. It is a service so that the packages arrive directly inside the buyers’ house and thus carry out the delivery of the package on time. Regardless of whether someone is inside or not. In principle, it will be available in 37 cities in the United States, in the first initial phase. Although certain video surveillance companies already have similar services, Amazon has certain peculiarities and it has now been discovered that it has a vulnerability so that a hacker can turn off the video surveillance camera and enter the house without the permission of the tenant.
How does Amazon Key work?
The Amazon team has designed a smart security camera: Cloud cam. It is connected to an electronic lock that works through a mobile phone application. Costing around $250, Amazon users will be able to purchase a bundle with both devices. Here’s how it works: Moments before the Amazon delivery person arrives at the house, the user will receive a notification. The delivery person, as part of the protocol for using the service, will knock on the door to check if there is someone. If the user accepts when they receive the notification, they will be able to see the delivery of their package through a live video. If the user does not accept, he will still be able to see the video of the delivery when it is finished. Finally, the receipt of the package can be confirmed.
Why create this service?
For a giant like Amazon, the issue of logistics in terms of package delivery is a daily challenge. Amazon Key is a new way for this e-commerce to make each object reach the hands of the buyer. On the other hand, it is facing the challenge of improving the consumer shopping experience. But what really motivates the creation of Amazon Key is package theft. In the United States, deliveries are made at home. When no one is there, the delivery person usually leaves the packages at the door. This leaves shipments unprotected and makes them easy prey for anyone passing by. In 2015, more than 11 million packages were stolen from the doors of the homes of their buyers. This is according to data provided by the company FedEx.
What else can Amazon Key do?
It’s not just for Amazon delivery guys. Temporary visits may also be scheduled. This is thanks to the fact that the user will be able to open the door of his house from any latitude of the planet where he is.
Some barriers to cross
Rhino Labs recently discovered a security flaw that disconnects the Cloud Cam from the network so, through malware, anyone with this kind of knowledge and malicious intent can cause the security camera to stop working and stop in the desired last recorded frame. At that time, the supposed delivery person could go back into the house and later reactivate the camera as if nothing had happened.
In addition to this big problem, if this had not happened, another barrier could be if a consumer is really willing to open the house to a stranger when the owner is not at home. At a later time, there will be details to fine-tune, such as households with pets. If the animal can leave the house, it is best not to use this service.
what is to come
In the near future, maybe in a few months, the Amazon Key service will work for service providers. This means that through Amazon you can hire professionals such as plumbers, cleaning staff, dog walkers, and more. The security protocol will be the same as that of the delivery men. For now, the service will be available only through the Amazon shipping company. However, the company plans to include other suppliers such as DHL and FedEx.
Amazon has responded to this serious security flaw and has advised its customers to be careful if the camera is left off for longer than normal. At the moment, the only update they are going to release will be next week to improve notifications if the camera is turned off, but this does not prevent the hack or fix it. One possibility to fix this bug would be for the camera to store the video locally, and not as it has done so far over the Internet.
Logically, many users have shown their concern about this system, which for just over $200 means that a stranger can enter someone else’s house to simply leave a package. It is clear that Amazon’s intention is good but for the moment it is much safer to leave us a note, arrange another collection time, or go for the package to collection points for example.
