Intel Spreads Word About Cybersecurity Threats as IoT Market Marches Ahead
The smartphone is the most vulnerable link in the IoT, and it’s the device consumers think the least about protecting, Gary Davis, Intel Security chief consumer security evangelist, told us after a keynote speech last week on security here in…
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Las Vegas at the Wearable Tech Expo. As the connecting point for smart home, car and wearables data, the smartphone is constantly building a profile that a hacker can exploit for nefarious purposes, said Davis. Wearables, which send information to a smartphone, are constantly collecting users’ information on location, physical activity, physiological statistics, consumption, medical symptoms, bodily functions and mental health, said Davis. "Being able to synthesize all that data is why I believe it’s the weakest link.” People he called bad actors can access smartphone data from various Internet connections including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, said Davis, who advised the audience to shut off antennas when not being used. He said people should install security software, use full-device encryption and use only trusted app stores.