The cuter the robot, the bigger the security risk?

If you're going to have a robot help you with your day-to-day life, it might as well be a cute robot, right?

The idea sounds nice in theory, but the BBC suggests that cute robots may actually be more dangerous. The robots' endearing big eyes could cause people to trust them with confidential information, like passwords, that could be stored in the cloud.

Robots are being tested to help preschool children in their studies, to help autistic people learn to socialize, and to help the elderly as companion "pets," the BBC reports. But the "big-eyed, cute design can distract from the motors and computer chips involved." Many of the robots being tested have microphones, cameras, and sensors, so if their data got into the wrong hands, it could be extremely dangerous. The large eyes and even fur on some robots will "appeal to deep-seated human emotions," the BBC notes, which could pose a security risk:

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So if you do opt for a super-cute robotic assistant in the future, just make sure you understand its security measures, too.