Wi-Fi Enabled Holiday Gifts Could Put Your Personal Information At Risk

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- From tablets to smartphones, electronic devices are hot holiday gifts, but they could also put your information at risk.

The talking doll, Hello Barbie, is one of the hottest gifts this season. It's part of a new generation of popular holiday gifts that are wi-fi enabled, but come with a downside, they can be hacked.

The toys send information to the manufacturer's server where it's stored, leaving your information at the mercy of their security.

"One single attack vector lets you in, and for example this device might now be a recording device that's in your home, hanging out with your child all day, uploading that information who knows where," Craig Shue of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute explained.

Already this year, hackers exposed a major data breach with the V-Tech Inno-Tab tablet. They were able to access photos and chat logs.

"Nothing happened to the device as far as we know, but the server got hacked and they found this treasure trove of data," Shue said.

As CBS2's Emily Smith reported, experts said there's plenty you can do to prevent trouble, even before wrapping the gift.

"Go through the user manual and look for parental controls to be able to set up that specific device," Adam Whitney of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force said.

In addition to using parental controls, experts said there's an old-fashioned non-tech way to protect your kids; watch what they are doing online.

"Not only to see what your children are searching for, but who is searching for them. Child predators are everywhere," Whitney said.

As high-tech toys and tablets are more in demand by the younger set, vigilance needs to be on every parent's holiday to-do list.

"To think about somebody hacking into her personal toys to get information from our family is really crazy," one mother said.

Some internet and wireless providers also have parental control programs that are free with your services.

Experts said it's important to use up to date wi-fi security along with a strong password.