Apple Watch Vulnerable to Theft With No Activation Lock

[RollTide1017]

So what about regular watches? Those don't have any technical way to prevent theft?

Neither do "regular" phones so what's your point? I didn't know we were setting the bar so low based on decades old tech, centuries old when it comes to watches. With that kind of thinking, maybe Apple should remove all security features on the iPhone to match those "regular" phones.

This is a new advanced piece of hardware that is trying to change the smart watch game. Activation lock and Find My iPhone should have been no brainers at this point for Apple. I'm not putting my data on a device that can not be secured.

The more I read about the Apple Watch, the more it seems like it was rushed to market, maybe they should have waited another year and worked more of the kinks out.

Data theft is a huge business these days and releasing a device without as much security as possible just seems lazy and a disservice to consumers (this goes to all smart watch manufacturers, not just Apple).

 

[C DM]

Neither do "regular" phones so what's your point? I didn't know we were setting the bar so low based on decades old tech, centuries old when it comes to watches. With that kind of thinking, maybe Apple should remove all security features on the iPhone to match those "regular" phones.

This is a new advanced piece of hardware that is trying to change the smart watch game. Activation lock and Find My iPhone should have been no brainers at this point for Apple. I'm not putting my data on a device that can not be secured.

The more I read about the Apple Watch, the more it seems like it was rushed to market, maybe they should have waited another year and worked more of the kinks out.

It's a first generation product. Nothing new or surprising about what it is.

 

[Mangchi]

People here are hilarious. They complain whenever someone mentions something good another vendor does and then complains when other vendors aren't mentioned in this story.

Do you want to hear about other vendors or not?

 

[Tech198]

At least the iPhone had activation lock...... kinda. However, regardless of security on the watch, why would u even leave ut lying around for thrives..

Don't we understand by now, we we use these gadgets all the time...... btw, who would pinch something your wearing on your wrist ? Perhaps that was Apple's motive behind not implementing security.

That, and being a first gen... but still... if your wearing it,,, why are we even worried if if doesn't have security...

Personally, i'd be more worried about a non-smart watch getting stolen...... we never had security on those, and never will....

You can argue that one

 

[paulsdenton]

Probably be fixed in the first watch software update.

 

[jhearty99]

Crazy how quick people are to dismiss this as a non issue when it is so easily implementable that is kind of a joke it is not a feature. "Other smart watches dont have it" is a pretty terrible response as I and most other people expect Apple to set the bar for these types of things. And for the most part, an apple watch would be a lot easier to steal then a phone being it is visible on your wrist basically at all times. Apple dropped the ball with this, plain and simple.

 

[Robert.Walter]

I think Apple's omission of such a feature at launch (absent any amazing reason why) is rather dumb as it shows an amazing lack of learning and a disregard for customer safety and physical security.

My 82-y/o mom bought an AW with the expectation that it would improve her life, not make her a target.

Given the drop in theft we've seen since an Apple ID became necessary to reset iOS devices, it is nothing short of unconscionable that the AW launched missing this feature.

To those that say this security flaw is no worse than on a Rolex, etc., and doesn't demonstrate a lack of learning on Apple's part:

How many of these devices you cite can one pair with an iPhone? Do you also advocate removing the iPhone security upgrades that reduced theft?

If we are to celebrate the AW as being more than a watch, we must not resort to making excuses for its shortcomings by comparing it to things that it is not.

P.s. It is also kinda poor that AW launched without a way to make/receive FT Audio calls directly on the watch.

 

[peteo]

I also made a thread on the forums before regarding the optical sensor protection flaw.

It is easily bypassable, if someone just puts their finger underneath the sensor when taking off the device they are not prompted for a PIN. So you could easily take someone else's information as well.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1881221/

Of course, my post was dismissed and people said it wasn't an issue.

It isn't an issue. If someone is taking the watch off your arm and doing this there's obviously more going on. Most likely they are holding you up, so really i'd doubt you care if they take your watch or wallet, you are more concerned about your life at that point. Unless of course you think the watch should have a force field to stop all kinds of robberies

 

[Fortimir]

Not an issue since there are only 5 watches in the wild.

My family must have won the lottery, because we've had four of those for two weeks.

 

[peteo]

Crazy how quick people are to dismiss this as a non issue when it is so easily implementable that is kind of a joke it is not a feature. "Other smart watches dont have it" is a pretty terrible response as I and most other people expect Apple to set the bar for these types of things. And for the most part, an apple watch would be a lot easier to steal then a phone being it is visible on your wrist basically at all times. Apple dropped the ball with this, plain and simple.

HAHA so now apple must stop robberies?
The watch needs to be erased to use it. So all your personal data is fine.
Dont be a moron and put your watch where it can be stolen. You do this with your wallet and car keys don't you?

----------

I think Apple's omission of such a feature at launch (absent any amazing reason why) is rather dumb as it shows an amazing lack of learning and a disregard for customer safety and physical security.

My 82-y/o mom bought an AW with the expectation that it would improve her life, not make her a target.

Given the drop in theft we've seen since an Apple ID became necessary to reset iOS devices, it is nothing short of unconscionable that the AW launched missing this feature.

To those that say this security flaw is no worse than on a Rolex, etc., and doesn't demonstrate a lack of learning on Apple's part:

How many of these devices you cite can one pair with an iPhone? Do you also advocate removing the iPhone security upgrades that reduced theft?

If we are to celebrate the AW as being more than a watch, we must not resort to making excuses for its shortcomings by comparing it to things that it is not.

P.s. It is also kinda poor that AW launched without a way to make/receive FT Audio calls directly on the watch.

Yes I mean, the watch should obviously come with a person security guard that will not only protect your watch, but also your wallet, phone, wedding ring. I mean i should be able to walk in bad section of Detroit and not worry about getting mugged.

 

[ackmondual]

This was reposted BY Macrumors.com. this story did not originate with them. OTHERS are bringing the lack of activation lock to the general publics attention

Because this is an apple form.

Sounds like a miscommunication here... just to be clear MR isn't the official forum for Apple (Limited). However, since it does talk and focus on Apple products, it made sense to have a thread about it.

 

[horsebattery]

HAHA so now apple must stop robberies?
The watch needs to be erased to use it. So all your personal data is fine.
Dont be a moron and put your watch where it can be stolen. You do this with your wallet and car keys don't you?

----------



Yes I mean, the watch should obviously come with a person security guard that will not only protect your watch, but also your wallet, phone, wedding ring. I mean i should be able to walk in bad section of Detroit and not worry about getting mugged.

This guy gets it. Apple wasted its time with TouchID, passcodes, and the like. Just avoid Detroit-like locations and screw security! Hyperbole for you, hyperbole for you, and hyperbole for you!

 

[ewkid]

Take a karate class then turn the tables on any would be thief.

 

[ackmondual]

Are they in practice as easy to steal as iPhones? AFAIK, folks would always be wearing their iWatches, and typically only take it off when they get home, or usually a more secure location. It's not like Iphones where a thief can reach in and swipe it from a purse, from a table when someone set it down briefly, or in the back pockets of jeans and pants (women have iphones sticking out of their asses indeed )

 

[ChrisCW11]

Oh Dear

Its as if the Apple Watch OS team was a completely different team making a completely different OS and didn't even ask the other OS teams about how to make a device secure, so Apple has to start all over with a barrage of stupid security flaws for the next 8 Apple Watch OS updates before they lock it down.

Seriously, this is unacceptable. A device which one of the biggest features sets is the ability to walk into a hotel room or on a plane, or make a financial transaction has a huge gaping security flaw which allows someone else to take the watch and use it without a pass code.

Apple's new motto "Ship First, **** the customers! Cha-Ching, Cha-Ching, Cha-Ching".

 

[acctman]

Rolex, MK, Guess, Chanel, etc... all are vulnerable too and worn by way more people as a whole than the Apple Watch. But, criminals aren't very bright. Steal a $2000 Tagg watch or a SS / Sport Apple watch hmm

 

[iConnected]

The bottom line here is that Apple COULD have made an industry leading statement here (define that how you will - watches, smart watches, etc) and built some great theft disincentives into the workings of the Apple Watch.

I don't care about comparisons with <insert your choice of mechanical watches, other smart watches, other Apple devices>.

They could have made this FAR less attractive to steal from day one.

And they should have.

End of.

 

[rohitp]

Sounds like someone is trying to make himself feel good for not buying one

Sorry. I was glad to dump wearing a watch with the first cell phone I bought - waaaay before Apple had a phone.

Not. Going. Back. Ever.

This is one of the most marginal products Apple has ever ever released. It's only possible real future is in health. The rest is pure vanity. Your phone's right there in your pocket anyway with a nice big screen.

Oh, and by the way, I'm a long long time fan of Apple products going back to the Mac SE. So don't use the hate card. That won't fly.

 

[BvizioN]

Your phone's right there in your pocket

Except that it isn't. Not always at least. Plenty of times it is on charge, it is in the jacket somewhere, it is in the bags and where not. Watch is right there on your wrist. I am already seing the benefits of it. But I get it that it is not for everyone and that is fine. I still have a person at my work place who have never owned a mobile phone because he believes he doesn't need one.

 

[rohitp]

Except that it isn't. Not always at least. Plenty of times it is on charge, it is in the jacket somewhere, it is in the bags and where not. Watch is right there on your wrist. I am already seing the benefits of it. But I get it that it is not for everyone and that is fine. I still have a person at my work place who have never owned a mobile phone because he believes he doesn't need one.

I understand your point and there are a few people who might see a real benefit. But for most, the phone is in your pocket or within reach almost always. Plus I do not have to be in touch or reachable 24/7. Not a life saving heart surgeon am I. I'm just not that important.

 

[C DM]

The bottom line here is that Apple COULD have made an industry leading statement here (define that how you will - watches, smart watches, etc) and built some great theft disincentives into the workings of the Apple Watch.

I don't care about comparisons with <insert your choice of mechanical watches, other smart watches, other Apple devices>.

They could have made this FAR less attractive to steal from day one.

And they should have.

End of.

And yet it's not even close to being some sort of an actual issue of much importance despite people trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. Now that's the real end of (whatever the end of it is since clearly it's hard to even write that in it seems).

 

[iConnected]

Your phone's right there in your pocket anyway with a nice big screen.

If only.

I have lost count of the number of times that I have set important reminders on my iPhone, only to later find that I had missed them because my phone had inadvertently been left in another room, out of sight and out of earshot.

With the Apple Watch, that problem is solved. In fact, it could end up paying for itself on that basis alone.

 

[Col4bin]

Very un-Apple'like to not anticipate this.

 

[C DM]

I understand your point and there are a few people who might see a real benefit. But for most, the phone is in your pocket or within reach almost always. Plus I do not have to be in touch or reachable 24/7. Not a life saving heart surgeon am I. I'm just not that important.

We are still trying to argue what constitutes as being useful to someone? How does anyone else even pretend to know what others find useful for themselves or could make any generalized statement on behalf of others as far as their personal lives go? What sort of silliness is this that keeps on popping up constantly just because some don't find something interesting or useful and instead of just not caring about it trying to prove something that can't be proven and doesn't apply to anyone but themselves.

 

[iConnected]

And yet it's not even close to being some sort of an actual issue of much importance despite people trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. Now that's the real end of (whatever the end of it is since clearly it's hard to even write that in it seems).

Sorry - "end of" is an English colloquialism, my friend [ie end of subject]

I shudder to think of the crimes that will be committed before this matter is deemed to be "some sort of an actual issue of much importance".