How to protect your digital privacy from new Christmas presents

Just unwrapped a gift of an internet-connected device? Don't just turn it on and plug it in - you might be giving the manufacturer all sorts of information you don't need to

Jeff Bezos knows when you've been sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows when you've been bad or good, because you didn't change the default privacy settings on the Amazon smart speaker you set up in your bedroom, for goodness' sake.

This Christmas, families will be unwrapping various internet-connected devices, and, knowingly or not, wiring up their homes for levels of surveillance rarely seen outside the Soviet bloc. But you still have a bit of control. Here are the best tips to protect your digital privacy, without resorting to Christmas gifts whittled from wood.