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| Garmin Forerunner 265
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Security Grade
Calculator v1
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Garmin Forerunner 265
Category: Smartwatch • Model / Gen: Forerunner 200 series Forerunner 265
Release Date: 2023-03-01 • Status: In sale
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Security Evaluation
1. Device Security
| Criterion
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Value
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Proof
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Comment
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| Known hardware tampering
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Rare
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🔗 Proof
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Hardware disassembly and modification are uncommon among ordinary users. The sealed waterproof design makes tampering difficult and will void the official warranty.
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| Known vulnerabilities
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Rare
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🔗 Proof
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A small number of firmware vulnerabilities have been disclosed and patched via regular updates. No widespread critical exploits specific to this model are publicly known.
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| Prior attacks
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None
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🔗 Proof
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No documented real-world targeted attacks have been reported for the Forerunner 265 smartwatch.
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| Updatability
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Very common
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🔗 Proof
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Garmin releases frequent over-the-air firmware updates with feature additions, bug fixes and security patches for this model.
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| Category Score
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Score: 2 / 3
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2. System Security
| Criterion
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Value
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Proof
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Comment
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| Authentication with other systems
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Partial
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🔗 Proof
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Pairs with smartphones via Bluetooth and syncs with the Garmin Connect account. Device-level pairing uses standard Bluetooth authentication without strong mutual certificate verification.
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| Communications
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Encrypted with up-to-date encryption
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🔗 Proof
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Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi connections use industry-standard modern encryption protocols for data sync and device communication.
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| Storage
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No encryption
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🔗 Proof
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Local activity data, music and maps stored on the internal flash are not encrypted at the device hardware level.
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| Category Score
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Score: 2 / 3
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3. User Authentication
| Criterion
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Value
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Proof
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Comment
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| Account management
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Basic
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🔗 Proof
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Full account management is handled in the Garmin Connect cloud service. The watch itself only stores basic device settings and user profile data.
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| Authentication
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Basic
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🔗 Proof
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Supports optional device passcode lock. There is no biometric authentication on the watch. Garmin account authentication happens on the app/cloud side.
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| Brute-force protection
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Absent
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🔗 Proof
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The device passcode has no built-in attempt rate limiting or automatic lockout mechanism against brute-force attempts.
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| Event logging
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Partial logging
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🔗 Proof
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Logs activity, health and workout events. It does not record dedicated security audit logs or access authentication events.
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| Passwords
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Default/Common/Easy to guess
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🔗 Proof
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The device passcode is optional and uses a simple numeric format. No mandatory complexity requirements or forced password rotation are enforced on the watch.
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| Category Score
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Score: 3 / 3
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Technical Specifications
| Property
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Details
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| Operating System & App
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Garmin proprietary wearable operating system (Companion App: Garmin Connect)
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| Hardware (CPU / GPU)
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CPU: Proprietary low-power wearable processor • GPU: None
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| Memory & Storage
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Memory: On-chip integrated RAM for sensor and system processing • Storage: 8 GB internal flash storage for music, maps and activity data
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| Power, Battery & Charging
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Battery: Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery; up to 13 days in smartwatch mode • Power: Magnetic charging cable power supply • Charging: Proprietary magnetic USB charging cable
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| Display & Camera
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Display: 1.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen; 416 × 416 resolution; Corning Gorilla Glass 3 • Camera: None
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| Sound & Connectivity
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Sound: Built-in speaker; supports Bluetooth phone calls and audio alerts • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, ANT+, multi-band GNSS GPS
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| Physical (Dimensions & Mass)
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Dimensions: 46.1 × 46.1 × 12.9 mm • Mass: 47 g (case only)
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Garmin Forerunner 265 is a GPS running smartwatch with a proprietary wearable operating system. It supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, syncs with the Garmin Connect platform and receives frequent firmware updates. It offers optional basic passcode protection but has no biometric authentication or local storage encryption. Its security profile is typical for consumer fitness smartwatches, with frequent functional and security updates from the manufacturer.
