How Safe Is Your Apps And Self-Tracking Devices?

With everything going smart, people are turning smart as well. People are concentrating more on their healthy lifestyle and are eager to know everything to improve it. Smart gadgets that are today available in the market provide individuals with a platform to keep track of themselves in the ever-busy world.

There are various self-tracking devices present out there like, electronic wristbands, smart watches, and pendants.

These gadgets have various sensors, processors, memory cards, and a communication interface installed in them, using which they assist individuals effectively. Such devices help in self-assessment as it collects, stores, and transmits data to other devices for processing and analysis.

Despite the presence of specifically designed gadgets for self-tracking, Smartphones are the most preferred gadget of choice for this activity, as modern handsets are packed with a wide range of sensors that can be used by many self-tracking applications. Many people already carry smartphones with them, and the proliferation of free self-tracking apps make it easier than ever for users to get onto self-tracking bandwagon, reports Deccan Chronicle.

However, Symantec, after a study, has found security risks in a large number of self-tracking devices and applications. One of the most significant findings was that, all of the wearable activity-tracking devices examined, including those from leading brands, are vulnerable to location tracking.

With the large usage of self-tracking apps present for the smartphones, personal data is transmitted to the service provider without the guarantee of being protected or not. There are many frauds related to leakage of personal information to agencies.

According to the test performed by Symantec, it clearly described the flaws related to this. As with simple scanning Bluetooth devices, third party can easily procure the personal data stored in Smartphones. Most of the apps present for self-tracking do not have a proper privacy protection policy. Theft or misplacing of the Smartphone is another major concern for letting ones personal data loose in the open.

With much security options in Smartphones, users need to keep a check on their personal data, and its transfer. Proper measures have to be taken to keep the personal information secure, and this can be done by keeping the applications updated and not sharing content with unknown sources.