How to Protect Your Smartwatch From Hackers 

Smartwatches are the most popular type of watches in this modern world as they offer several smartphone features on your wrist. Due to its popularity, it is an important fashion accessory for school, work, and even worn to different events or family gatherings. 

According to a research done in 2019, around 21% of the US adult population regularly use a fitness tracker or a smartwatch. Since everyone likes being connected to the internet, a smartwatch can be a great companion to your attire. 

However, there have been security concerns when using a smart watch. Much like any new technology, people try to hack them or try to breach the technology instilled in them for fun or to steal your personal data. 

So as much as smartwatches help you track your health, manage calls, send messages, and even make online payments. Today Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays an important role in the way we live and work. From healthcare to entertainment to social media, in order to make the most of these benefits we need to secure our devices from cybercriminals.

In this article, we will look at some essential steps in keeping your watch secured at all times. 

Is there an actual risk on your smartwatch?

All smart or IoT devices are connected to the internet which means they share similar security risks. Keep in mind that most popular brands have set certain security features that can protect you from hacks. However, these watches can still be vulnerable under the right circumstances. 

Weak Authentication

Most smartwatches are protected by a password but these passwords are weak and insecure. One of the reasons this happens is because smartwatches are not able to block several failed attempts. This increases the chances of being hacked as people have several tries to guess them right. 

Dangerous Network

Network connection plays a vital role in protecting your device. All smartwatches are connected to smartphones through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This connection transfers data from one device to another and can be unsafe due to the network. Criminals may hack the network connection where they have access to your transmitting data.

Insufficient Encryption

A strong encryption will always keep your smart device safe from any cyber attack. Many smartwatches are equipped with TLS or SSL encryption, but they can still be susceptible to certain hacks.

Privacy Issues

Your smartwatch collects different kinds of data such as address, gender, health data, and so on. This data can be easily hacked or extracted by pairing your smartwatch with an unfamiliar smartphone. Since most smartwatches lack the security feature of a pattern or PIN code for the screen lock. 

These are just some of the reasons why your smartphone could be susceptible to hacks. That’s why choosing the right smartwatch is important as it protects your personal data from getting into the wrong hands. 

We know that Apple is one of the most trending smartwatches in the market. But when it comes to fitness tracking watches, Garmin and Fitbit go head to head on top of the list. See how Fitbit compares to Garmin on Superwatches.com and find the perfect watch for you.

Now that you are aware of how your smartwatch may be at risk, let us explore a few steps to protect your device. 

How to Protect Your Smartwatch From Hackers 

Research

If you’ve already purchased a watch, you can bypass this step and proceed to the other items on this list. Before buying any smartwatch, it’s crucial to read reviews, compare options, and conduct thorough research on your preferred model.

Ensure that the watch you select is equipped with the appropriate software and supports two-factor authentication. Additionally, it’s important to investigate the types of data that the watch can collect.

Security Configuration 

To use your watch in the safest manner and protect it from hackers, you must configure your security settings. By simply enabling certain functions such as screen lock, password or even fingerprint feature, you will be able keep your watch safe. 

When configuring your settings, ensure that you turn off any sensitive control functions and activate the encryption on your smartwatch. 

Secure Fitness Data 

While hackers are the biggest threat in stealing your personal data, advertisers and insurance companies too can wreak havoc with your data. Keep in mind that your smartwatch carries your health and fitness data that can be exploited by companies who buy consumer data for marketing purposes. 

The company can use this data against you when it comes to insurance packages by tracking your health. Make sure you check your privacy setting and restrict data accumulation or delete them at the end of the day. Here are some tips to secure your personal files easily. 

Update Software Regularly

The easiest way to avoid any kind of cyber attack is to keep your smartwatch software up to date. By regularly updating your watch, you not only improve system performance but also fix security flaws. While updating your watch, make sure that you keep your smartphone updated as well as the link between the two can be breached. 

Avoid Online Payments 

If you want to make payments through your smartwatch, you will have to link or add your account details to your smartwatch. While it can be a useful tool to transfer money, it also gives hackers an opportunity to gain your financial data. 

In order for your smartwatch to use this feature it will have to store data in the device that can be accessed by hackers easily. By simply avoiding online payments through your watch, you will reduce the chances of being hacked. 

Ensure the Security of Your Smartwatch Today!

Smartwatches are still considered to be in their infancy stage, yet emerging technologies are poised to elevate them into indispensable fashion accessories. With the increasing demand for smartwatches, safeguarding your sensitive data becomes paramount.

By proactively securing your smartwatch, you can fully enjoy its benefits while fortifying it against various cyber threats. Superwatches offers comprehensive resources, including reviews, comparisons, and coverage of news from all major watch brands, to assist you in finding the best smartwatch on the market.

Upgrade your smartwatch experience by prioritizing security and exploring the latest offerings in the market through Superwatches!