Wearable Technology & Security Issues: Is Your Smartwatch Secure?

Activity trackers and smartwatches are one of the most trending technology these days. A full-fledged smartwatch allows users to access the internet with great convenience. It is also considered as a life savior product as it can help you contact in the hour of need even when you lost your phone. The LTE smartwatch technology has upgraded the wearable technology to the next level as it has a dedicated SIM card slot. You can use the smartwatches to make audio/video calls, listen to music, browse the internet, and much more. 

Do Smart Watches Possess Cyber Security Risk?

As cybercrime is increasing day by day, it is important to secure all your equipment that has internet access. If your smartwatch has some sensitive data in it, such as banking details or digital wallet technology, then it can be exposed to cyber attackers.

According to a report, in 2022, there will be a huge increment in the usage of wearable, and more people will buy a smartwatch. Even now, many people use a smartwatch, and they use it to access different devices in their house. Be it TVs, smart thermostats, and other Internet of Things devices can be accessed by your smartwatch, which means if attackers manage to take control of your smartwatch, they can access your other devices too. That’s why smart watches are one of the most sensitive devices for cybersecurity threats.

Smartwatches are works as a remote control for your smartphone, and you access your apps, email, text messages as well as the internet. Your text messages include your One Time Password or OTP that can grant someone access to your bank.

So lowballing a smart watch’s cybersecurity can be your biggest mistake. Some smartwatches lack essential security features such as user authentications.

What Are the Risks in a Smartwatch?

Since 2015, the cybersecurity features in smartwatches have been developed a lot; however, it is not 100% secure. You might worry about your private data or sensitive business files, and then you might hesitate to use it. However, you can take some initiatives to fix the most usual vulnerabilities of your smartwatch.

Here are the common security problems in today’s wearable:

1.      Smartwatches save Plethora of Private Information

It is an undeniable truth that your smartwatch collects loads of your private details, which can cause privacy concerns. It can be your real-time location or your frequent locations, banking information for using instant wallets or payment systems, and more. The list of data used by your smartwatch is pretty huge.

You may now ask that who else can see the data you provide on your smartwatch. How secure is that stored data? If the private information is stored on the cloud storage or server of the company, then you won’t be able to protect it from the attackers. 

2.       Your Private Information May be Shared with Third Parties

Most of the reputable smartwatch companies provide a privacy policy, whether it is Android or Apple.  So before granting any private details, read the privacy policy to see who else will get access to your data. You will be able to know whether your watch will share your utter private data or a tiny part of it. 

Moreover, you can limit the permissions of your smartwatch so that it can’t access your important private data.

3.      Your Wearable Can Manipulate Your Smart-Home

Many wearable products are capable of controlling your innovative home equipped with modern features. This puts you to even more critical danger as if you use your watch to control your house, and then attackers would be able to do the same.

Many users use their device to unlock the main entrance door and think if the watch is stolen or misplaced?

4.      Your Business Network Could be At Risk

Your smartwatch can influence the network of your business and can expose it to potential risks. You might be using some of your business programs or apps on your watches, such as a business call or tanking business notes. Is your business calls on your smartwatch can create security issues?

Suppose you have connected your watch to the phone that can provide an entrance for cyber attackers.  Then you use that mobile phone to connect with the company’s network. This will create a hole in your business’s cybersecurity system.

Final Thoughts It could be a wise decision if you limit what your smartphone can access. Especially while granting permissions, ask yourself can create a cybersecurity issue? By doing so, you can use your wearable technology with no worries.