A smart watch is a nice piece of technology that gives you a good and convenient way to keep track of your health and get started with training.
But having a smartwatch can also involve some risks.
Photo: Unsplash
READ MORE: New mobile number? You have to do that with Swish
Smart watches can be hacked
A study from the Australian university Charles Darwin University shows that smartwatches can be hacked relatively easily.
The researchers hacked a variety of smartwatches to find out what information they could access. Results were worrying, according to the research leader Dr Shanmugam.
– We could raise or lower the heart rate, we could see where a person has gone, where they have spent time and other health values such as heart rate, blood pressure and EKG statistics, he says.
That such information is easily accessible to outsiders entails great risks, says Dr Shanmugam.
– If the trend continues, it could lead to a chain of negative consequences for both individuals and society. Potential consequences are increased identity theft and financial losses.
– If the data falls into the wrong hands, it can also be used for extortion or even physical harm, especially for the elderly, Dr. Shanmugam concludes by saying about the results.
READ MORE: Google Chrome users? Turn this setting off
Photo: UnsplashCheaper smartwatches not as secure
For SVT have Pontus Johnsonprofessor at KTH and director of the Center for Cyber Defense and Information Security, previously told us that vulnerabilities are common in watches and other smart technology gadgets.
In many cases, more expensive watches are safer.
– It is a matter of resources, building secure software requires a lot of money, energy and competence. That’s something not every business can afford, he said, adding:
– In general, I would say that you should refrain from buying too cheap gadgets. Security is not free.
READ MORE: That’s how many packages the Swedes order from Temu – every month
How to protect your smartwatch
No matter what smartwatch you have, there are a few things you can do to keep it safe.
According to the cyber security firm Kaspersky it’s important not to connect your smartwatch to anything, and that you use existing privacy features:
READ MORE: Google warns of new scam – don’t do this