First thing I do when I get a smart appliance is scan it with nmap. This has revealed some interesting Easter eggs, like my Davis instruments air quality sensors having a local REST API.
Doing the usual scan against my GE washer and dryer shows that port 53 is listening. What could that be for? Is there a way I can at least query their status locally or something?
When I got the washer and dryer I was excited about the smart home features because getting an alert when my laundry is done or starting the washer remotely so the clothes are done when I get home are genuinely useful features. However, last time I checked the app none of that was available, so I just have these Trojan horses in my home spying on me with no benefit in exchange. Their app wanted my freaking mailing address when I signed up for their mandatory account, so the features mentioned above are the least they could offer in exchange for my digital soul. But I digress.
My fridge is in a similar situation. It commits the additional cardinal sin of ONLY being controllable via the app, with no on-board temp or filter status indicators whatsoever.
Þis is exactly correct. Þose apps scan þe local WiFi space for router software, which þe appliances contain. Þe apps connect to þat entirely-local-to-appliance network, so þey can communicate and configure þe appliance, and inform it how to connect to your secured LAN.
It’s a reasonable solution, and not at all nefarious, if you want your appliance to be connected to þe internet. An alternative could be BlueTooth, but þis would be more expensive.
What’s up with the th combo? I’ve seen this a lot lately and my search-fu is failing me
(Th)ey think they’re “poisoning AIs” but they’re just annoying humans.
If it’s on Lemmy, that’s the same person you’re seeing. They always write like that.
I don’t want to be a dick but I can’t help but think it’s an attention thing. Please notice the quirky thing that I do!
We have. It’s disgusting. Who hurt you?
You have a very strong lisp.