Our wrists can now be worn with advanced electronic devices that make calls, send messages, play music, and track our health as technology advances. As smartwatches serve as extensions of our iPhones and Android smartphones, they offer a wealth of features. Our phones are connected to wearable devices via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Even though this proves helpful, it also poses a serious threat to digital security.
How does it impact?
Others can access the information on our smartwatches connected to the internet without our consent. Malicious hackers can also exploit the internet, Wi-Fi, and device flaws to attack our wearable devices. Therefore, the privacy of wearable technology should be prioritized. In the following section, we provide some ways on how smartwatches may impact one’s privacy online.
- Your location is revealed at all times by wearable technology
- Hackers have easy access to smartwatches
- Hackers can spread false information and put your health at risk
- Third parties may gain access to your private information or sell it to them
- Wearable technology devices can piggyback enterprise networks
- Multiple factor authentication is not available on smartwatches
- Smartwatches do not have anti-malware software.
Your location is revealed at all times by wearable technology
We can track our runs with smartwatches and fitness trackers by recording our pace, steps, and distance covered. Our favorite routes are logged into our Cloud accounts using geolocation, motion sensors, and accelerometers. By gaining access to this information, hackers can find out which running or jogging routes are most frequently used. You might be stalked, or your safety put at risk using this private information while exercising.
Hackers have easy access to smartwatches
Smartwatches with low prices often lack built-in security frameworks, making them highly vulnerable to hackers. Programmers are capable of hacking into your smartwatch or fitness watch if they are within proximity. By connecting the device to your smartphone, it can pose a major threat to your privacy. Hackers can access sensitive information on your smartphone through wearable devices such as contacts, photos, videos, and financial details.
Hackers can spread false information and put your health at risk
Health and fitness data can be gathered through wearable devices like heart rate, blood pressure, glucose levels, steps, and speed. You and possibly your doctor or fitness trainer can access this data via your Cloud account. Hackers can manipulate the data on your wearable device to create false information. For instance, they can modify your glucose level and heart rate artificially. In this case, your physician may believe you have diabetes or a heart condition when you’re perfectly healthy. You can experience real health problems due to unnecessary prescriptions and medication you do not need.
Third parties may gain access to your private information or sell it to them
With the help of smartwatches, we can learn a lot about our bodies and activities. A Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection is used to send data directly to your cell phone and other devices. Dedicated applications manage and store the information in personal Cloud accounts. It’s not usually the case that information in the cloud is secure, even though wearable users tend to think so. It depends on the Cloud administrator whether or not third-party companies can buy, sell, or exchange these data. Following that, you will receive targeted advertisements when surfing the internet on your device based on your personal preferences. For your wearable app not to share your personal information, you need to understand how it works.
Wearable technology devices can piggyback enterprise networks
In addition to advanced features like music applications, phone call capability, SMS, push email, social networking, and GPS location, modern smartwatches also include numerous advanced functions. Therefore, these wearable devices are worn throughout the day to school, to work, and to the mall. In addition to their built-in security features, they protect from hackers and other threats. Hackers can gain access to your business network and cause havoc by hacking into your smartwatch and using your credentials. As such, try not to connect your smartwatch to work or business accounts or networks.
Multiple factor authentication is not available on smartwatches
By using multi-factor authentication on your smart device, you can best protect your personal information. If your device has this security feature, it will ask for a password, PIN, fingerprint, iris scan, or a combination of these. Your data is secure because the device requires multiple-factor authentication. Many fitness trackers and smartwatches do not offer this feature. In turn, hackers can access your private information and more through this vulnerability.
Smartwatches do not have anti-malware software
In addition to having many drawbacks as other IoT devices, smartwatches are regarded as part of the Internet of Things (IoT). The computers they use are not protected from malicious software created by hackers. With customized malware, hackers can easily penetrate smartwatches and steal your personal information. There aren’t as many security features on your smart device as other options, such as a PIN or password.
Conclusion
We can find wearable technology in smartwatches and fitness trackers, which provide us with many benefits. Fitness applications allow us to track our sleep patterns, distances jogged, and heart rates. Even though these devices can be so helpful, they can also compromise our digital safety and privacy. Hackers can use a cheap smartwatch to get into your smartphone, home network, or business platform through your smartwatch. Wearable electronic devices should always be used with care to avoid possible misuse of personal information.
