Are Smartwatches Safe?

Because smartwatches tend to stay with the user all the time, the common question is, "Is it safe to wear a smartwatch all the time?" Let us answer this for you: it is always safe to wear a smartwatch as long as you are sensible and disciplined. So, what kind of sensible and disciplined are we to wear a smartwatch safely?



A little reminder that a smartwatch is a mini computer you wear on your wrist. Just like other computing devices, a smartwatch can also expose radiation. Now people are freaking out when we are talking about radiation. Will it cause cancer? Well, let's look at some research about that.

Radiation exposure from smartwatches and smartphones is considered safe to wear. Even a smartwatch has less radiation than a smartphone. According to the New York Times (2015), "There is no evidence from studies of cells, animals, or humans that radiofrequency energy can cause cancer.”

So, there is no worry about cancer while wearing a smartwatch. But how about other health effects? Some users report headaches, nausea, and dizziness after using devices. Most of them are caused by radiation and screen devices. In this case, the sensible and discipline of the users play roles. We can reduce the effect of radiation by turning on the airplane mode of the devices. Another way is to take a break from the screen every 30 minutes. The good thing is that no smartwatch users report having a problem because of the screen. The smartwatch's screen is small, and the user does not need to watch the screen for a long time, so we could say the smartwatch is probably a safer electronic device than a smartphone or laptop.

Smartwatch also doesn't tend to cause problems in your daily routine. Even a smartwatch is designed to improve it. Smartwatches don't have entertainment that can cause addiction like smartphones and computers (laptops) do, which usually will cause procrastination. The main purpose of a smartwatch is to help people with daily activities become more active while offering some sports features and message notifications with quick responses. Smartwatches also provide features to improve life quality, like sleep monitors, heartbeat sensors, diet planning, pedometers, sleeping schedules, calorie calculators, and many more.

Are smartwatches safe digitally?
Now, let's discuss the cyber safety of smartwatches. Before determining whether smartwatches are safe, let's examine their risks. Smartwatches' security and privacy risks are similar to those of common IoT and other smart devices. Smartwatches must be vulnerable even if some popular brands offer the best protection.

The more popular smartwatches are on the market, the more vulnerable they are to cyberattacks. Everything connected to the internet must require protection and a smartwatch. A lot of data is transferred using a smartwatch, which becomes a target for hackers. Most users do not pay attention to this part of smartwatches. Smartwatches can save data on users' activities and personal data. Advanced smartwatches have GPS location, credit card transactions, motion tracking, and schedules. Users can install the cyber security system on their smartwatch to feel more secure or become more aware of how the smartwatch manufacturer or brand handles the user's data. Not all smartwatch brands have the same method of handling data. Please pay attention to their data and privacy policy before using a smartwatch.

How to protect the smartwatch data?
The risks are always there, regardless of how safe the devices are. The safest device also has risks. But, we can start to limit the risk or prevent that. These are the tips that users can do to protect their smartwatch data:

• Do not accept unauthorized pairing. Always pay attention to which device is requesting a pair. You can also activate the Activation Lock Setting to block any unknown device. This can also lock your smartwatch just in case it is stolen.
• Apply two-factor authentication. This authentication works to request confirmation before running to keep out unwanted devices. Not all smartwatches feature two-factor authentication, so check before purchasing one. If not, you can also request this feature from the manufacturer, especially when you purchase wholesale and offer personalized smartwatches.
• Apply for screen passcode protection. This is the simplest way that users can do to protect their data. This will keep hackers and thieves away from stealing your smartwatch. Some types of passcode protection, like PIN or pattern, are automatically locked when the smartwatch is too far from the phone, and lock or removal detection. Not only applying, but it is also highly recommended that the password or PIN be changed regularly and that one try to avoid an easy password combination.
• Never download some unofficial applications. Those unofficial app stores are likely to harm your smartwatch. In most cases, you will download malware apps.
• You are updating your smartwatch. Never miss the newest app or OS version. The newest updates will probably fix bugs from the previous version and the security system. When your smartwatch is less protected, it will lead to a hacking attack. So, update your app and OS as soon as possible. Another tip is to remove the app that hasn’t been updated for years. We found that old program code could be the biggest target of a hacking attack.
• Use a VPN or Virtual Private Network connection. It is highly recommended that you protect your smartwatch's connection with a VPN when connecting to the internet. This way, you can safely connect to any connection, even public Wi-Fi. Another benefit is that some VPN brands also offer antivirus systems on their packages.
• Don't try to connect or pair all devices with your smartwatch. The less you connect, the safer you are in a digital world. Connect your smartwatch to one or two important devices, like smartphones or earphones. Connecting all your devices, especially crucial IoT devices like smart home devices (door locks, security cams), will allow the hacker to easily hack the whole device just by breaching one security device. It is like stealing your key through the internet.
• Limit app permission. Before running an app, usually, they will ask permission for several things like camera, microphone, contact, location, etc. Again, the rule of the digital world is that the less you connect, the safer you are. So, try to limit the app's permission. If you think that it's not necessary to use the feature, you can limit the permission by not permitting it. But if necessary, you can try to set the only running feature while using the app so that the device does not always track your data.
• The last suggestion is to buy a trusted smartwatch brand. If we could recommend a brand, we would recommend Wonlex Smartwatch, a trusted manufacturer in China.

Wonlex Smartwatch
After considering the safety of wearing a smartwatch, it is time to purchase one or even purchase wholesale to start the smartwatch business. Of course, we need many options and smartwatch designs that can be used for any age and gender. Wonlex has the right watch for everyone, from a glittery cute smartwatch for kids to an elegant look for adults. All the products feature a camera and 4G connection to maintain usability.

Wonlex is China's leading smartwatch manufacturer, with GPS attached to every watch. Located in Shenzen, China, Wonlex also offers wearable tech devices like the smart bracelet and mini phone to provide connectivity for the whole family member.

Wonlex has been a smartwatch retailer and business in mainland China and worldwide. Every business can inquire about a smartwatch with its design and logo attached, as Wonlex provides OEM and ODM services. If you have any ideas for your smartwatch business, Wonlex is always happy to meet more clients and partners.