Do Wearable Devices Present a Privacy Risk?
Smartwatches, fitness trackers and other wearable devices have become as commonplace as our mobile phones and tablets. These connected devices do much more than tell the time.
Smartwatches, fitness trackers and other wearable devices have become as commonplace as our mobile phones and tablets. These connected devices do much more than tell the time.
While wearable devices are entering our daily lives more than ever before, they are also collecting more data and connecting to an increasing number of other smart systems.
It is useful to understand these potential security and privacy risks in advance. Threatening There are many ways for actors to monetize attacks against smart wearable devices and the related application and software ecosystem.
They can intercept and manipulate data and passwords and unlock lost or stolen devices. There are also potential privacy concerns about secretly sharing personal data with third parties.
Where do wearable device ecosystems fall short?
The device you plug in is only part of the picture. In fact, there are multiple elements, from the device’s software to the protocols it uses to connect to its application and back-end cloud servers. All are vulnerable to attack if security and privacy have not been properly taken into account by the manufacturer. Here are a few of them:
Bluetooth: Bluetooth Low Energy is often used to pair wearable devices with your smartphone. However, over the years, numerous security vulnerabilities have been discovered in the protocol. These vulnerabilities could allow close-range attackers to crash devices, spy on information, or manipulate data.
Devices: Often the software on the device is vulnerable to external attacks due to bad programming. Even the best designed watch is ultimately made by humans and therefore may contain coding errors. These can lead to privacy leaks, data loss, and more. Additionally, weak authentication/encryption on devices can mean that they are subject to interception and eavesdropping. Users should also be aware of shoulder surfers when viewing sensitive messages/data on their wearable devices in public places.
Applications: Smartphone apps connected to wearable devices are another attack route. They can be poorly written and full of security vulnerabilities, revealing access to user data and devices. Another risk is that applications and even users are careless about data. You may accidentally download fake apps designed to look like legitimate apps and enter your personal information into them.
Back servers: As mentioned, providers’ cloud-based systems can store device information, including location data and other details. This presents a tempting target for attackers. There’s not much you can do about this other than choosing a reputable provider with a good track record in security.
Tips for keeping wearable devices safe
- Be careful to choose reputable wearable device providers.
- Take a close look at the privacy and security settings to make sure they are configured correctly.
- Change settings to prevent unauthorized pairing.
- Turn on two-factor authentication.
- Password protect lock screens.
Protect your smartphone:
- Only use legal app stores
- Keep all software updated
- Never jailbreak/root devices
- Limit app permissions
- Install reputable security software on the device
Protect your smart home:
- Don’t sync wearables to your front door
- Take care to keep devices on the guest Wi-Fi network
- Update all devices to the latest firmware
- Make sure all device passwords have been changed from factory default settings
Security
Russia Will Spend $646 Million to Block VPN Services
Russia, which attaches more importance to controlling the flow of information especially after the invasion of Ukraine, will spend 646 million dollars to block VPN services.
Russia, which attaches more importance to controlling the flow of information especially after the invasion of Ukraine, will spend 646 million dollars to block VPN services.
As the political climate around the world began to warm up, an information war began in the internet world. While, on the one hand, the parties in the Russia-Ukraine war impose an embargo on publications that contradict their views, on the other hand, a race to control the flow of information has begun between the USA and China. This race even went as far as the USA deciding to ban TikTok.
However, today there is a significant obstacle for states to control the flow of information over the internet. These are VPN services that allow users to get around bans. That’s why many countries, especially Russia, are looking for ways to get rid of these services.
The main method currently used for this is fines. For example, Brazil, which recently banned Twitter, announced that large fines would be imposed on those who were found to use a VPN to access this social network. However, these fines alone are not enough. Because detecting VPN users is not that easy. That’s why states are looking for more permanent solutions.
Russia, one of the leading states, opened its pockets to solve this problem permanently. Roskomnadzor, the institution responsible for telecommunications supervision in Russia, has announced that it will spend 59 billion rubles ($646 million) over the next five years to better filter internet traffic. explained. This money will be spent on updating the hardware used to control internet traffic. In addition, new technologies will be developed to stop or slow down the flow of data from certain sources. It is thought that Russia will become much more effective in blocking VPN services after this investment. Of course, this is a worrying development for free access to information. But it is an important step for those who want to control information.
Security
Cybercriminals are targeting online ad networks
With just one click, a person’s computer or even the entire network can be invaded. Despite the constant use of ad blockers and advanced security software, malware spread through ads is still a big problem, especially when they masquerade as ads from legitimate sites.
With just one click, a person’s computer or even the entire network can be invaded. Despite the constant use of ad blockers and advanced security software, malware spread through ads is still a big problem, especially when they masquerade as ads from legitimate sites.
Malicious search ads represent just one form of ad exploitation by threat actors. Other types include the distribution of malicious banner ads on legitimate websites that hide bad code using steganography. malicious Ads may also be encountered through in-text hyperlinks, pop-ups, and more.
How do malicious ads work on search engines?
Following the boom in various search engines throughout the 90s, and considering the online world is increasingly penetrating our physical daily lives, it is not surprising that advertising companies want to target such areas.
However, there may also be malicious ones among these search ads. Malvertising often involves threat actors buying prime ad space from search engines to persuade potential victims to click on their ads.
Scammers who pay for search ads automatically push their malicious pages to the top of people’s search results. Internet users searching for specific products may encounter such situations where only subtle clues are available to distinguish between a legitimate and a malicious ad or page.
In 2023, Google blocked or removed more than 1 billion ads that abused its ad network, including ads that promoted malware. Other online advertisers are also victims. Due to the nature of the advertising business, malicious actors can manipulate and compromise an entire ad chain in a variety of possible ways, from buying ads to spoofing search engine providers to hacking websites and ad servers.
While search engine providers continually remove malicious ads or websites from search results, hackers are persistent and continue to find new ways to counter content filtering, creating a game of mole between search providers and criminals. As a result, you can never be 100 percent sure whether what you clicked is a malicious link or not.
Security
Xiaomi September 2024 Security Update Revealed
Xiaomi September 2024 security update has started to be offered to devices. Let’s examine the details of this update, which is of great concern to Xiaomi users.
Xiaomi September 2024 security update has started to be offered to devices. Let’s examine the details of this update, which is of great concern to Xiaomi users.
Security updates released regularly every month for Android devices ensure safer and more stable operation of the devices. This month’s updates came first to Google’s Pixel devices and then to Samsung devices. Now Xiaomi has started to offer the September 2024 security update to users. Firstly Xiaomi Pad 6 model has received this update and it is expected to come to other Xiaomi models in the coming days.
Xiaomi September 2024 Security Update: The Update is Not Just Security
Xiaomi’s new update is not limited to security patches only. It also fixes bugs in floating windows and HyperOS launcher. In this way, the devices will offer a more fluid and trouble-free user experience. September 2024 update, Xiaomi Pad 6 It is offered with software version OS1.0.10.UMZCNXM, but it should be noted that this version is currently exclusive to China.
The update is first available to HyperOS Pilot Test users. However, this does not mean that the update will be limited to these users only. More Xiaomi, Redmi and more in the coming days POCO model too will get this update. If your device has not received this update yet, you do not need to worry; It will reach many devices in a short time.
Xiaomi September 2024 Security Update: 44 Vulnerabilities Closed
This security update published by Google is a total of 44 vulnerabilities is closing. One of these vulnerabilities was marked as critical and 32 of them were marked as high priority. Such updates protect users’ data by increasing the security of devices. The fact that Xiaomi offers these updates quickly is an indication that it prioritizes the security of the devices.
Xiaomi’s The September 2024 security update improves device security and fixes various bugs is very important in terms of What do you think about this update? Don’t forget to share your comments with us.
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