Apple Watch Gets Alexa Support with Security Vulnerabilities
If you are tired of the Apple’s built-in assistant for its smartwatch, Siri, you will be glad to know you now have an alternative to look into. Believe it or not, but you can actually get Alexa on your Apple Watch using an app called Voice in a Can.
What to Expect from Apple Watch Alexa
Of course, Voice in a Can is a third party app, and it does not bring all of Alexa’s features to the Apple Watch; but what it does offer is enough to keep things interesting. However, do keep in mind that you will have to dish out $2 for the app itself, after which you will need an Amazon account for it to connect to. Once that is done, you can use the virtual assistant to do things like read flash briefings, control smart lights at your home, and switch on Alexa-enabled device etc.
Basically, you can do just about anything that you could normally do with Echo. But where it really lacks is that it can’t play music nor can it read audiobooks.
Who Should Use the App?
The developers have stated that almost everything will work, but there are a few features that refuse to work altogether; at least for now. Keeping this in mind, the app is best suited for those people that want to access their smart home features at all times, especially during those times when they are not around their Echo device.
The good news is Voice in a Can works without a phone, which means you can manage your home even though you may be out shopping and whatnot.
Apple Watch Alexa Security Vulnerabilities
Considering the fact that Voice in a Can is a third party app, and Alexa is not exactly known for being completely secure, there are possible security vulnerabilities that could infect your Apple Watch.
Take for instance how just recently, researchers hacked Alexa to spy on users, and not for the first time. The researchers at Checkmarx explained how they created an Alexa Skill, primarily designed to abuse the virtual assistant’s capabilities. How it works is that the malicious Skill kicks in after a voice command is given to Alexa, and continues recording for hackers. Even though the skill has been not released for the public, it just comes to show how vulnerable Alexa really is.
That being said, if you do plan to use Alexa on your Apple Watch, make sure you are connected to a network protected by a VPN, like Ivacy VPN. Why, you ask? For starters, it will mask your internet activity. This means you get impenetrable internet security and anonymity, no matter where you go. At the same time, since your communications are encrypted, it is next to impossible for hackers, cybercriminals and third parties to hack and/or spy on you.
No matter what app you use in general, make sure you use a VPN, like Ivacy VPN, since internet privacy and freedom is slowly and gradually becoming a thing of the past these days.
