New Delhi, Oct. 31 -- Alexa hears you when you ask for the weather, when you request songs and when you whisper reminders before leaving home. But what if it starts listening when you don't intend it to? A poorly chosen spot can expose your voice assistant to random activations, strangers outside your window or even damage that shortens its life.

If Alexa could talk without being asked first, it would probably tell you, "Please, not here!" So, to keep your Echo smart, safe and on your side, here are the placements to avoid, and smarter spots that protect your privacy.

Some people enjoy having tunes in the bathroom, but your Echo definitely does not enjoy the bathroom environment. Even the cleanest spaces have airborne bacteria that can ...