Clever uses for your Amazon Echo - and security steps you can't skip

Amazon's Echo line is the reigning champ of the smart speaker world. Compared to virtual assistants like Google and Siri, Alexa works with far more gadgets and responds to significantly more commands than the competition. Plus, Echo devices are pretty inexpensive, starting around $25 for the Flex and $30 for the Dot when you catch it on sale. I bought six of these Echo Shows for Christmas presents. They have a nice screen, so all the kids and grandkids can pop in and say hello to my Mom whenever they want.