Fitness Tracker Safety Tips
It’s not hard to hack your fitbit. A novice can do it in a few minutes. A professional in a few seconds. And while it’s true that hackers care less about your calorie count than they do your credit accounts…if you’re using the same username and password for your fitness tracker as you are your banking app, you may be putting yourself at risk.
So, before you step outside to track your pace count, take a few steps toward securing the data your device collects each time you wrap it around your wrist.
- Make sure the security and software settings are up-to-date. As a particular device grows in popularity, so does the risk of the software becoming more vulnerable to attack. Fitness device companies are always updating their software to reduce risk, so anytime you see an update is available, be sure to download the updates immediately.
- Avoid using your own name as the device name. Bluetooth connected devices are searchable to anyone within close proximity of your device. This may increase your vulnerability of being identified in public settings like coffee shops and restaurants. Instead of your name, try labeling your device with something not commonly associated as being you.
- When creating your online profile, choose a strong, profile-specific password that is not associated with any of your other accounts. One of the best ways to reduce risk, is to keep personal information compartmentalized in separate accounts; each with their own unique username and password.
- Exercise caution when linking your fitness tracker to your social network. Restrict the personal information you share across the fitness tracker community. Keep in mind that certain fitness trackers may be sharing specific times and locations — like where you go running and when — that you may not want shared with the general public.
- Consider “turning off” the wifi or bluetooth signal of your device when it is not being used in support of your fitness goals. If you intend to leave your device “on,” the importance of a unique username and even stronger password becomes exponentially important.
In a recent report by Symantec, experts warn that when it comes to self-tracking, there are several ways to collect, store, and analyze data. Many of these fitness tracker services involve multi-part systems. Unfortunately, as more parts are introduced into a system, the risk of a “weak link” rises.
What’s important for the end user to remember is that the first steps to ensuring safety begins with their own proactive precautions:
Awareness + Preparation = Safety
