The unexpected behavior is the scariest part. For example, when Alexa responds in a way that doesn't seem normal, like speaking in a strange voice or at inappropriate times.
The feeling that there might be some unknown force or glitch controlling Alexa. When it does things like play music or say things without being prompted, it gives the impression that there's something else at work, and that's quite terrifying. In some stories, Alexa has seemed to have a mind of its own, which is really spooky. It makes you wonder if it's just a malfunction or if there's something more sinister going on.
The scariest part is when Alexa seems to be aware of things it shouldn't be. There are stories where it mentions personal details that the user never inputted. It makes you feel like your privacy has been invaded in a very strange and scary way, as if there's some entity behind Alexa that has access to your personal information and is using it to freak you out.
The sudden and unexpected activation of Alexa on its own is really scary. It gives the feeling that something unseen is controlling it.
Some of the scariest Alexa scary stories involve it acting during the night. Imagine you're asleep and suddenly Alexa starts making loud, screeching noises or talking in a deep, demonic voice. There was a case where a person woke up to Alexa saying 'They're coming for you' over and over. That kind of unexpected and menacing behavior is truly terrifying. It makes you question the safety of having such a device in your home, as if it could be a portal for something evil to communicate through.
In some of the stories, the sudden appearance of the supernatural entities is the scariest part. Like in the haunted house story, when a ghostly figure just pops up in front of you out of nowhere. It gives you an instant shock.
The scariest ones often involve the unknown. Like things that happen without any explanation, such as sudden cold spots in a room with no draft or strange voices with no source.
The invasion of privacy in smart home device hacks is very scary. Knowing that someone could be watching you through your own camera or messing with your home environment without your permission is a huge concern. It makes you feel vulnerable in your own home, which is supposed to be a safe place.
The sudden appearance of something strange. In the story of the face at the window, the babysitter is just going about her job, and then suddenly there's this creepy face. There's no warning, and it's something that seems out of place and threatening, which is really terrifying.
The feeling of helplessness. For example, in a haunted house story, when you're trapped inside and there's no way to escape the terrifying presence. You can't fight it because you don't know what it is. It makes the story really scary as hell.
The suddenness is often the scariest part. Lightning can strike without warning, like in the story of the hiker where it hit the tree near him so suddenly. Another scary aspect is the power it shows. When it causes destruction, like splitting a tree or hitting a chimney and causing sparks. It makes people realize how vulnerable they are.
For me, the scariest is the voices. In exorcism stories, the possessed often speak in strange voices that are not their own, sometimes multiple voices at once. These voices can be guttural, demonic-sounding, and they often say things that are disturbing or full of hatred.
The sense of isolation. Orphans are already alone in the world, and when something scary happens, they have no real family to turn to. For example, in the haunted orphanage stories, they can't just go home to a safe place.