Rise of the machines

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Rikkitic

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#204922 23-Oct-2016 08:30

The TV news this morning is full of reports of DOS attacks carried out by hordes of 'smart' devices. Apparently hackers have figured out how to control Internet-connected webcams, TVs, fridges, baby monitors and the like.

There is something deliciously ironic about the world being under attack by toasters and washing machines. I wonder if our cars will also join in? Maybe all those overhyped gadgets being shovelled at consumers are not such a good idea after all. Who the hell needs a self-stocking fridge anyway? Whatever happened to shopping lists and doing the chores?

Skynet doesn't need any terminators when a few well-placed kettles will do the trick.

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#1656451 23-Oct-2016 08:40

The internet of things is full of holes.

cynnicallemon

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#1656467 23-Oct-2016 08:53

gzt: The internet of things is full of holes.

This indeed.

We're being sold insecure gadgets that push the word "secure" as a selling point. That WiFi door bell is a good example, there was an exploit in that but the manufacturer have now stated that the firmware has been fixed although no doubt there are thousands of doorbells out there with old firmware and exploitable. Home automation systems fair little better.

tdgeek

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#1656470 23-Oct-2016 08:58

Yep. When tech gets managed and improved by the tech industry, a point arrives when the retail industry grabs it, and a device or function turns itself into a mass produced item, with an SKU code, and a price tag. The responsibility of that device or function is lost. "oh, we just make and sell it, we don't know anything about it, thats the IT industry's job"

Fred99

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#1656473 23-Oct-2016 09:04

So they're being churned out by the zillion with the same default passwords, and/or no protection against brute force password attacks - which of course start by targeting known popular passwords for the few that have (only half) a clue.

OIW - all these crap products are being churned out to "just work" for the lowest common denominator. It probably saves a few cents per product churning each one out with a default, and dealing with a lot of customer complaints that would be need to be answered when stuff plugged in doesn't "just work".

Rikkitic

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#1656480 23-Oct-2016 09:18

I bought my Sony TV a few years ago based on price and picture quality reviews. It also had 'smart' functions so I took a look at them but disabled them after I saw how useless they were.

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tdgeek

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#1656482 23-Oct-2016 09:22

Rikkitic:

I bought my Sony TV a few years ago based on price and picture quality reviews. It also had 'smart' functions so I took a look at them but disabled them after I saw how useless they were.

Yep. My daughters Samsung TV seems to have quite a good smart aspect, but over time, these don't get updated and fall by the wayside. Far better to be able to buy a cheap smart box and use that. My TV is awesome, not smart, and pretty darn old now, Panny. But the picture is awesome, for a TV thats all that matters to me

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#1656502 23-Oct-2016 09:55

tdgeek:

Yep. My daughters Samsung TV seems to have quite a good smart aspect, but over time, these don't get updated and fall by the wayside. Far better to be able to buy a cheap smart box and use that. My TV is awesome, not smart, and pretty darn old now, Panny. But the picture is awesome, for a TV thats all that matters to me.

I've long wondered about whether Smart TVs would pretty quickly lose manufacturer support, and never bought a smart tv because of that (plus budget reasons!). HDMI dongles like the ChromeCast and Android TV Stick or similar are cheap and easy to upgrade/replace and reasonably consumer-friendly.

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DarthKermit

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#1656514 23-Oct-2016 10:36

But my fridge enjoys its chats with my washing machine. I suspect all they talk about though, is my dirty laundry.

I suspect that my TV is having an affair with the toaster.

MikeB4

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#1656516 23-Oct-2016 10:38

The IOT devices at home are behind a modem and router do the work there and things should be good. The peas in the freezer and the coffee will be sweet.

cynnicallemon

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#1656546 23-Oct-2016 13:07

MikeB4: The IOT devices at home are behind a modem and router do the work there and things should be good. The peas in the freezer and the coffee will be sweet.

Yes, I can rest easy knowing IoT things will be safe behind my modem/router which can no doubt be compromised in some way.

DarthKermit

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#1656611 23-Oct-2016 16:26

cynnicallemon

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#1656631 23-Oct-2016 16:59

Classic Red Dwarf.

On a darker note, that reminded me of a film from the early 70's called Dark Star. This excellent film should be a reminder that we control (or not control) our own destiny in regards of AI.

Rikkitic

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#1656658 23-Oct-2016 17:56

What happens if two toasters start playing tic-tac-toe and plunge the world into nuclear war?

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Fred99

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#1656665 23-Oct-2016 18:32

Rikkitic:

What happens if two toasters start playing tic-tac-toe and plunge the world into nuclear war?

Burned toast.

Batman

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#1656675 23-Oct-2016 19:03

cynnicallemon:

Classic Red Dwarf.

On a darker note, that reminded me of a film from the early 70's called Dark Star. This excellent film should be a reminder that we control (or not control) our own destiny in regards of AI.

It seems like a paradox to be in control over A.I., if the A has an I then by definition it is in control of itself (and therefore you).

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