• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Jobs
  • Career
    • Cyber Security Training
    • Work from Home
    • Cyber Security Analyst
    • Remote Work – Six Ways to Keep Your Data Safe When Working Remotely
  • Field Guide
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Deals
  • News
AskCyberSecurity.com

AskCyberSecurity.com

Cyber Security News & Information

  • Home
  • Data Privacy
    • Gamers
    • Government Cyber Security
      • Legislation
      • Standards
        • What are the risks of computer security?
        • Medical Cyber Security
    • Social Media
  • Security
    • Data Breaches
    • Scams
    • Malware
  • Software
    • Apps
    • Web Browsers
  • Glossary
    • Cyber Security Acronyms
  • About Ask Cyber Security
    • Authors
    • Contact Us
  • VPN
    • How Do I Know If My VPN is Working?
    • Best Free VPN iPhone
    • Why Use a VPN?
    • NordVPN vs IPVanish
    • Private Internet Access Download
    • Best VPN for Streaming
      • TikTok VPN
    • VPN Porn
    • Computer Security Software – What You Really Need
  • Tutorials
AskCyber Home » News » Hardware » How to Secure Your New Smartwatch

How to Secure Your New Smartwatch

2018-12-26 by Michelle Dvorak

Secure Smartwatch

How to Secure a New Smartwatch for Data Privacy

Are you the happy owner of a new smartwatch or another wearable? Smartwatches are a convenient way to keep up with emails and messages. They are popular for fitness tracking, paying at POS terminals, banking, and mobile shopping. But like most online experiences, with convenience comes increased risk.

Hackers only need to access one of your smart devices, like a watch, phone, or tablet, to get into your accounts like email and financial information. Wearables like smartwatches present another opportunity for hackers to steal your personal data, banking credentials, and passwords. Even a seemingly low-level password like an Instagram login can help a hacker begin a social engineering attack or phishing scam.

As a new smartwatch owner, there are a few precautions you can take to make your device more secure. Your device probably arrived partially charged and it is up to you to top it off. Since your smartwatch most likely came packaged with a USB cable it may be tempting to plug it into the nearest USB charging port to bring it up to a full charge.

Charge the battery securely

Sometimes a phone charging port is more than just a charger. Public charging stations, such as those found in airport waiting areas, can identify and track your device. When possible, use your own cord connected to a standard wall outlet to charge any electronic device. Charging stations and USB charging connectors can be used to download data from and track mobile devices from station to station. The goal of charging station tracking is may be to simply understand traveler and usage behaviors. However, the data gleaned from your wearable or smartphone can include MAC address which is an individual identifier assigned to all electronic devices. A device’s MAC address allows charging station providers to track your smartwatch, phone, tablet or another device without fail.

USB charging ports are commonly found in hotels desks, airport lounges, charging stations, and other public places. They can be altered. USB receptacles allow multiple devices to use the power from one electrical outlet. Although they are perfectly fine to use at home or in a trusted environment, they are very hackable in public spaces.

Installing the Device’s Corresponding App

Most wearables require that you install an app on your mobile device, so it can sync your phone to your smartwatch. You will need to download the app. Be sure you take the download from an official site like the Google Play Store, the Apple Store, or a manufacturer’s download area like Galaxy Apps. Make sure you are on a secure WiFi connection when you download the app as you may have to give login credentials to associate the app with your device.

Be sure you have the appropriate app and ensure that the app is up-to-date with the latest version. Your device may have come preloaded with the correct app, but it can easily be out of date from the most secure version. If necessary, update your app to the latest version.
Periodically check to see that you have the latest software loaded on all devices. Older software is a common inroad for hackers.

Don’t Make Yourself a Mugging Target

Watches and phones are many times out in the open. They are a sign of wealth and a target for an old-school mugger too. A thief may be out to heist and resell your physical watch, or they may more tech-savvy and have connections to sell your device to hackers. Smartwatches contain sensitive information and web histories. They are perfect for and digital thieves. Keep your new smartwatch on the down-low. Don’t leave it laying around in a hotel room. Cover it up when traveling in unfamiliar places and don’t invite thieves in.

You may be used to leaving your non-smart watch lying around. That is not a good idea with a smartwatch. If you have to leave alone, then add a security PIN to it.

Enable Anti-Theft Settings

Enable anti-theft settings like passwords and biometrics. Protect your Smartphone and smartwatch with a password, key swipe, fingerprint or other biometric information.

Many smartwatches are automatically locked when the paired smartphone goes out of range. Be sure that you use a PIN on the smartwatch to unlock it again. Also, use a PIN or key swipe on your phone. It only takes access to one of the pare devices to get into sensitive data. A PIN or biometrics login is an easy step to increase your device’s security.

Avoid Entering Financial Data on your Smartwatch

Avoid online shopping with your credit or worse yet, your debit card. Don’t log into bank accounts or other financial accounts from your smartwatch Watches are frequently left lying around, at home, in gym lockers, or otherwise, separate from the owner and the paired device. This alone time if a good opportunity for anyone to steal your login and data. Any financial information you entered as well as your browser history is stored on your device’s history, making it an open target for hackers.

Filed Under: Hardware Tagged With: smartwatch, tutorial, wearable

About Michelle Dvorak

Michelle writes about cyber security, data privacy focusing on social media privacy as well as how to protect your IoT devices. She has worked in internet technology for over 20 years and owns METRONY, LLC. Michelle earned a B.S. in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Michelle published a guide to Cyber Security for Business Travelers


LinkedInTwitterFacebook

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter

We Don't Share or Sell Your Info

Web Browsers

Where Are My Saved Passwords in Chrome?

Google Removes 70 Malicious Browser Add-ons from Chrome Web Store

Firefox 75 Reports Your Browser Settings to Mozilla

Categories

Cyber Security Field Guide

Computer Security While TravelingGet Our Cyber Security Field Guide - Available on Amazon!

Recent Posts

Security Marketing Manager – Remote

Sr. Associate, Cybersecurity Architect – Pfizer

Strategic Customer Success Manager – Cybersecurity – Opportunity for Working Remotely

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

ISU Cybersecurity Leader Job Opening

Cyber Security News

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

… [Read More...] about Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

… [Read More...] about Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

… [Read More...] about IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

… [Read More...] about National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

More Cyber Security News

Tags

amazon Android Apple bitcoin China chrome CISA credit card DarkSide DHS DOJ Equifax Europe Facebook facial recognition FBI Firefox FTC games GDPR Google Government hacker identity theft India iPhone Iran IRS LinkedIn Microsoft North Korea PayPal phishing phishing email ransomware REvil Russia smartphone T-Mobile TikTok tutorial VPN WhatsApp WiFi Windows

Government

CBP Looks to Access Airline Passenger Data

FTC Releases Cyber Threat Video Playlist

Malware Found on US Government Funded Phones

UK NCA Reaches Out to Youth to Deter Cybercrimes

More Posts from this Category

Footer

Menu

  • Home
  • About
  • Authors
  • Newsletter Signup
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Search

Why Use a VPN?

NordVPN vs IPVanish VPN Review

NAVIGATION

  • Data Breaches
  • Data Privacy
  • Gamers
  • Scams
  • Malware

MEMBER NJCCIC

New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell

STAY CONNECTED

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Copyright © 2023 · AskCyberSecurity.com · METRONY, LLC

Go to mobile version