What makes drones, VR headsets, and specialty devices different to find

Drones, virtual reality headsets, and other specialty devices sit at the edge of your home network in ways that standard computers and phones do not. A drone connects to the internet to send video back to you and receive flight commands. A VR headset tracks your movement, stores your play history, and may connect to social platforms. A smart telescope or fitness tracker collects data about where you are and what you do. Each one is a small computer with its own security weaknesses, its own manufacturer, and its own privacy settings — and most people never touch those settings after unboxing.

The risk is not usually that someone will hack your drone mid-flight. The risk is that the device maker collects more data than you realised, that the device connects to your home network and could be used as a stepping stone to reach your computer or phone, or that the device stops receiving security updates and becomes a permanent weak point in your setup.

Key Takeaways

  • Specialty devices often have privacy settings buried in their apps or web portals — check the manufacturer's website for a privacy guide before you first use the device.
  • Most drones, VR headsets, and fitness trackers send data to the manufacturer's servers; you cannot stop this entirely, but you can usually limit what data is sent and how long it is kept.
  • Specialty devices should have their own strong password or PIN, separate from your other accounts, and should be updated whenever the manufacturer releases a new firmware version.
  • If a device stops receiving updates, it becomes a security liability on your network — check the manufacturer's support page to learn how long they will provide updates before you buy.

Drones: what data they collect and where it goes

Most consumer drones — DJI models are the most common — require you to create an account with the manufacturer and connect the drone to their app on your phone. The drone itself sends flight telemetry (location, altitude, speed, battery level) back to the manufacturer's servers. Some models also send video footage to the cloud if you enable that feature. DJI, in particular, has faced scrutiny from the U.S. government over data collection practices, though the company has released versions of their software designed to limit data transmission.

Before you buy a drone, check the manufacturer's privacy policy for three things: whether flight data is sent to servers outside your country, whether you can delete that data, and how long the company keeps it. Most manufacturers allow you to turn off cloud storage of video, but flight telemetry is usually sent regardless. If you are flying in a sensitive location or do not want your flight patterns recorded, research whether the model you are considering offers a local-only mode.

Keep the drone's firmware updated. Manufacturers release updates to fix security holes and, sometimes, to change data collection practices. Check the manufacturer's website or app every few months for new versions. If a drone model is no longer receiving updates, it is a sign that the manufacturer has moved on — that model will not get security patches if a vulnerability is discovered later.

VR headsets: privacy in immersive environments

A VR headset is a camera and motion tracker pointed at your living room. It records your hand movements, your head position, and sometimes your eye gaze. It also records what you do in virtual environments — which games you play, how long you play them, who you interact with, and what you say in multiplayer spaces. This data is sent to the headset manufacturer and, often, to the game publisher as well.

Meta (which makes Quest headsets), Sony (PlayStation VR), and HTC (Vive) all collect this data. You can reduce what is collected by visiting the privacy settings in the headset itself or in the companion app on your phone. Most headsets let you turn off hand tracking, limit what activity data is shared with game publishers, and control whether your play history is visible to friends. These settings are not always straightforward to find — check the manufacturer's support page for a privacy guide specific to your model.

One specific concern: VR headsets often require a Facebook, PlayStation Network, or Steam account to function. If you use a VR headset, that account becomes a central point where the manufacturer can see your activity across multiple games and apps. Use a strong, unique password for that account. If the headset offers two-factor authentication, turn it on.

Fitness trackers, smartwatches, and health devices

Fitness trackers and smartwatches collect data about your heart rate, sleep, exercise, and location. They send this data to the manufacturer's servers — Fitbit sends data to Google, Apple Watch data goes to Apple, Garmin data goes to Garmin. You cannot stop this data collection entirely, but you can control how much detail is sent and who can see it.

Before you buy a health device, check whether the manufacturer offers a way to view and delete your data. Some companies, like Fitbit, let you read your data or request that it be deleted. Others keep it indefinitely. If you are uncomfortable with a manufacturer's data practices, that is a legitimate reason to choose a different brand — there is no single "best" fitness tracker, and your privacy comfort matters.

Health data is sensitive. Use a strong password for the device's companion app, and do not reuse that password on other accounts. If the app offers two-factor authentication, turn it on. Check the privacy settings in the app to see who can view your activity — by default, many devices share your workout data with friends or make it visible on public leaderboards.

Smart telescopes, cameras, and other connected devices

Smart telescopes (like Celestron's models), connected security cameras, and other specialty devices often connect to the internet to read star charts, receive software updates, or stream video to your phone. Each one is a small computer with its own network connection, and each one is a potential entry point to your home network if it is not secured properly.

When you set up a connected device, change the default password when ready. Many specialty devices ship with a standard username and password — admin/admin or admin/password — that anyone on the internet can find in the manual. If the device allows you to create a unique username, do that. Use a password that is at least 12 characters long and different from your other passwords.

Check whether the device needs to be on your main home network or whether it can connect to a separate guest network. If your router supports a guest network, use it for devices you do not fully trust. A device on the guest network cannot see your computer, phone, or other devices on your main network, even if the device is compromised.

Firmware updates and end-of-life devices

Specialty devices are often abandoned by their manufacturers. A drone model might receive updates for two years, then nothing. A VR headset might be supported for five years. A fitness tracker might be updated for three years or indefinitely, depending on the brand. When updates stop, security vulnerabilities in that device will never be patched.

Before you buy any specialty device, visit the manufacturer's support page and look for a statement about how long they will provide updates. If you cannot find that information, email the manufacturer and ask. A company that commits to five years of updates is more trustworthy than one that will not say. If you already own a device that has stopped receiving updates, consider whether it is worth keeping on your network — if it is not critical, disconnecting it or removing it entirely reduces your risk.

Set a calendar reminder to check for firmware updates every three months. Most specialty devices do not notify you automatically when an update is available. You have to go into the app or the manufacturer's website and look for it yourself. It takes five minutes and is one of the easiest ways to stay find.

Connecting specialty devices to your home network safely

Every device you connect to your home network is a potential weak point. If a drone, VR headset, or fitness tracker is compromised, an attacker could theoretically use it to reach your computer or phone. You cannot eliminate this risk entirely, but you can reduce it.

First, keep your router's firmware updated. Your router is the gateway between your devices and the internet, and routers are frequently targeted by attackers. Check your router's manufacturer website or the admin panel (usually accessible at 192.168.1.1 in your browser) for updates. Most routers do not update automatically.

Second, use a strong password for your router's admin panel. Change it from the default when ready. This prevents someone on your network from changing your router's settings.

Third, if your router supports it, create a separate guest network for devices you do not fully trust. Put your drone, VR headset, or any device you rarely use on the guest network. This isolates them from your computer and phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a VR headset without creating an account with the manufacturer?

Most modern VR headsets require an account to function — Meta Quest headsets require a Meta account, PlayStation VR requires a PlayStation Network account. Some older or specialized headsets (like some SteamVR devices) can work with a Steam account instead. Check the headset's requirements before you buy if avoiding a particular company's account is important to you.

What should I do if my drone or device stops receiving updates?

If a device is no longer receiving security updates and you still use it, consider disconnecting it from your home network or removing it entirely. If you want to keep using it, isolate it on a guest network so it cannot reach your other devices. Do not use it for anything that requires sensitive data or internet access.

Do I need to worry about someone hacking my fitness tracker?

A fitness tracker is a lower-value target than your phone or computer, so the risk of targeted hacking is low. The bigger concern is that the manufacturer collects your health data and keeps it indefinitely. Use a strong password for the companion app, turn on two-factor authentication if available, and check the privacy settings to control who can see your data.

Can I prevent my drone from sending data to the manufacturer?

Most drones send flight telemetry to the manufacturer's servers, and you cannot turn this off completely. However, you can usually disable cloud storage of video and photos, limit what metadata is sent, and delete your account data. Check the manufacturer's privacy settings and privacy policy for what options are available for your specific model.

Is it safe to connect a specialty device to my main home network?

It is generally safe if the device is from a reputable manufacturer and is receiving regular updates. However, if you are uncomfortable with the risk or the device is no longer receiving updates, use a guest network instead. A guest network isolates the device so it cannot reach your computer, phone, or other devices, even if it is compromised.