Smartwatch (smartwatch)

Global market

Main article: Smartwatch (global market)

Use risks

2023:95% of smartwatches and fitness bracelets are a breeding ground for bacteria

Wearable straps such as smartwatches and fitness bracelets are the perfect breeding ground for dangerous bacteria. This is stated in a study by Florida Atlantic University, the results of which were released on August 16, 2023. Read more here.

2022: Potential Smartwatch Threats

ESET experts warned smartwatch owners of potential threats on January 31, 2022.

By gaining access to smart wrist devices, cybercriminals can intercept and control data and passwords, track location, and transfer personal information to third parties.

According to our estimates, the market for smartwatches and fitness trackers will increase by 12.5% annually and by 2028 will exceed $118 billion. Such indicators cannot but attract fraudsters. Therefore, it is worth understanding the security and privacy risks associated with this in advance, data- said the international developer anti-virus of ESET solutions.

Many multifunctional watches and trackers provide synchronized access to applications to the bound, smartphone for example, e-mail to or to. to messengers Thus, unauthorized users can intercept personal ones. In data case of weak protection of the gadget, personal information leaks to attackers and is illegally sold to third parties. In addition, access to smartwatches helps scammers unlock previously stolen devices.

Location is a key type of data recorded by most wrist devices. With this information, hackers can make an accurate diagram of movements during the day and attack the owner, his car or house. Even more concerning is the safety of smartwatches for children, which can be monitored by outsiders.

The data trackers collect is of value to advertisers. Third parties use information from smartwatches to create advertising profiles and then sell them. ESET experts remind: the more often a user's personal data moves from one company to another, the more vulnerable he is to various hacker attacks.

Cyber specialists noted:

Bluetooth, which is used to connect the device to a smartphone. Over the years, numerous vulnerabilities in the protocol have been discovered that allow attackers to track and control data while in close proximity to devices.

Weak gadget software. Even the best watches are made by humans and can contain coding errors. This leads to the leakage of confidential information and the loss of data.

Paired mobile applications can also contain errors in the code and have vulnerabilities. Often, users are negligent about data and independently download phishing programs, giving attackers access to personal information.

2019: Vulnerabilities in children's smartwatches

On January 31, 2019, it became known that in children's smartwatches there are easy-to-exploit privilege escalation vulnerabilities.

As reported, although information security experts do not cease to warn about the danger of children's IoT gadgets and smart toys, manufacturers continue to supply the market with vulnerable products that pose not only a virtual, but also a physical threat. For example, a vulnerable smartwatch with a GPS tracker function allows attackers to track a child's location and potentially harm him.

In autumn 2017, experts from the Consumer Protection Council of Norway tested some smartwatch models from various manufacturers, including TechSixtyFour's Gator. During the study, vulnerabilities were discovered in gadgets that allow attackers to track, eavesdrop on and even communicate with device users.

One year later, researchers at Pen Test Partners decided to take another look at Gator and check how their safety was improved.

Guess what we found? It was a complete disaster. Anyone could access the entire database, including the location of children in real time, names, parents' data, etc. This applies not only to Gator watches, but also to tens of thousands of watches from other brands. Vangelis Stykas, Pen Test Partners specialist

The vulnerability allows attackers to elevate their privileges and is extremely easy to exploit. The watch does not have a mechanism for checking that the user has permission to access the dashboard. To gain access to data, an attacker only needs to know the credentials of the watch user.

TechSixtyFour has fixed the vulnerability, but the problem can still affect gadgets from other manufacturers.^[1]

History

2024

Oppo unveils smartwatches with two operating systems running simultaneously

At the end of February 2024, Oppo announced the Watch X smartwatch, which features two processors and two operating systems running simultaneously. The device is made in a strong case with protection against moisture and dust in accordance with MIL-STD-810H and IP68 standards. Read more here.

US authorities urged diabetics not to measure blood sugar with smartwatches and rings

In February 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urged users not to measure blood glucose with smartwatches and rings, since, according to the department, such devices use algorithmic calculations that are far from those shown by medical equipment. Read more here.

2023: Blood pressure sensor developed for smartwatches with precision of medical devices

In mid-April 2023, a research team from the Catholic University of Korea and the Korea Institute for Advanced Technology (KAIST) unveiled a highly sensitive wearable piezoelectric blood pressure sensor that the developer claims works with the accuracy of medical devices. Read more here.

See also

• Wearable Electronics (Global Market)
• Wearable electronics (Russian market)