Smart watches may be a popular smart gadget, but the Apple Watch has gained media attention as its owners have been banned from carrying it in sensitive meetings.
Drop the Apple Watch When You Are in a Private Meeting
Various media report that ministers from the United Kingdom are banned from wearing their Apple Watches during private meetings of the cabinet. This is due to a fear of eavesdropping by foreign powers.
Mobile phones are already on the banned list, however the Government has taken the extra step of also banning smart watches as potentially dangerous gadgets.
These devices feature built-in microphones, sensors and wireless communication technologies that can be used for espionage. Possible security intrusions can be used to hijack the Apple Watch and other related devices into eavesdropping secret information.
Several workshops and demonstrations prove how such an attak can be carried out. The potential damage can include not only eavesdropping on conversations, but also stealing the stored credentials and the spying on all user activities.
A few months ago a possible attack vector was identified that can record the hand movement of the target victim and it can even steal the PIN number entered into an ATM machine. However there have not been any serious malware developed for the Apple Watch. The biggest share of attacks are carried against the most widely used desktop and mobile operating systems.
The smart watches themselves have limited functionality which can affect the damage the possible damage inflicted on the targets. However foreign governments and hackers can use them in sabotage and espionage attacks.
