Watch Yourself!

Trendy gadgets may pose a digital risk to their users.

 

- Dolphfyn, Gaudilab

New research shows that smartwatches can become tools for spying on their owners, by collecting silent accelerometer and gyroscope signals that – after analysis – could be turned into datasets unique to the owner.

These datasets, if misused, allow the user’s activities to be monitored, including the entering of sensitive information. These are the findings of new Kaspersky Lab analysis into the impact that the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) can have on the daily lives of users and their information security.

In recent years, the cybersecurity industry has shown that private user data is becoming a very valuable commodity, due to almost limitless criminal uses – from sophisticated digital profiling of cybercriminals’ victims, to market predictions on user behaviour. But while consumer paranoia over personal information misuse is growing, with many turning their attention to online platforms and data collection methods, other – less obvious – threat sources remain unprotected. For instance, to help maintain a healthy lifestyle, many consumers use fitness trackers to monitor exercise and sport activities. But this could have dangerous consequences.