If you don’t hook it up to your network, what’s the problem?
this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2024
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Privacy
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It may try to connect to open wifi networks instead, maybe
Honestly asking; Why would I care if my dishwasher connected to some random Wi-Fi. What does it know about me? Someone gonna hack it?
There have been instances of network-enabled devices updating to put existing features behind a paywall, unilaterally changing the terms of service (can't use device anymore until you agree to new terms), and simply removing features that you paid for when you bought the device.
Why does a dishwasher need wifi?
So you can get an alert when the dishes are done.
Not justifying the feature itself, but there is a purpose.
How is that legal? Could u buy a dishwasher then 3 months later it starts asking for a small fee per wash?
I know these things happen but usually you are informed in advance and bought the product at a big discount
It probably requires an app to monitor the wash cycle. All they have to do is start charging a subscription to use the app. If people bought the dishwasher because they would get alerts when their dishes were clean, now they have to pay a recurring fee.
Roku pushed an update to their TVs requiring owners to agree to a new terms of service. There was no "disagree" button, and the TV wouldn't work until people accepted the changes.
This is such a new problem that it's never been challenged in court.
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If you're asking in earnest, the last decade has shown for profit corps know no bounds in using technology to extract, poorly protect, and often aggregate and then will make any attempt to monetize possible--often retroactively. While a dishwasher might not have much data in itself to exploit, if your internet connected TV, Car or phone which is constantly scanning for nearby WI-FI items or networks decided to start cataloguing them...well then that would just be a Tuesday for Google, Ford or Sony right?
The more data points, the worse. More breaches, more creepy facts about us floating around in some creepy company or regime's stockpile of data to be used, unilaterally against me. Or maybe the next company to buy the current company I'm happy with. Or the next regime that decides people like me aren't full humans. Between your computer and phone, most people's lives are somewhat laid bare, but add in car tracking which auto companies have stuck their funnel into during the last 5 years, add in appliances, put Wi-Fi if your shower handle...again the people adding Wi-Fi to things like a dishwasher that don't need it have only one thing to gain, monetizing your data and selling it to someone who wants to control you in some way.
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I had to buy a washing machine recently. I asked if I could get one without the smart features (this was a half joke thinking there was no shot in hell, but at least I got to express disinterest). They looked in the back to find that they did have the previous model. They said it was basically the same but without the smart features—then they said it would still be under the same warranty & would cost me $150 less. I got real lucky that day—& the fact that I need a new TV has caused me dread knowing you basically can’t find ’em anymore.
Literally the same, just bought a new washing machine. Most are now smart enabled. I don't get it at all.. Like why does a washing machine need to be on the internet at all.
You're washing is done... Yeah I know I can no longer hear it.
Start it later, there is a delay mode.
I physically have to be in front of the washer to load it. Why would I then use an app.
We paid a premium for one without Wi-Fi
Sceptre has Non smart TVs. May be the only ones left to be honest
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Don't connect it to anything.
Not even power and water supplies?
Your easiest solution is to just not connect it to your network.
If you want to really lock it out, depending on your router you can use the firewall to drop any packets to and from the device's IP.
For a lot of devices that will leave an unsecured wifi network on that will
- allow any passerby to just set it up under their account and potentially mess with it
- use up valuable WiFi channels you might want to use for your own network
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Another (less good) option might be connecting it to a dummy wi-fi that goes nowhere.
I have a smart tv, washer, and dryer. None of them are connected to a network. They can’t do anything “smart” without a network. You don’t need to take apart or disconnect anything. In fact, doing so could cause problems if you nick the wrong wire or component.
Just leave it be and you should be fine.
Even owning Smart devices and having them always plugged in may potentially be a vector, Rob did a good breakdown on how this is achieved.
https://odysee.com/@RobBraxmanTech:6/radio:64
Did you know that your IOT devices are secretly communicating with each other? This includes IOT devices that are not in your home. Did you know that what your IOT devices do may be transmitted to third parties? Did you know that your TV may also have the capability and may currently be transmitting your activity far and wide?
There are secret communications occurring between IOT devices using protocols like Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, Thread, 802.15, and LoRa that you likely didn't expect or was not explained when you bought these devices.
Just like Amazon Echo has been conscripted to work with the Amazon Sidewalk Mesh network, other networks are in operation
Good point. I did not consider this. Thank you.
If I did that half my neighbors would own my devices in a week because they like transmitting open access points for setup purposes. I just connect them anyway and then just block them from outbound access at the router if I want to restrict them. That way I can be sure. Then I can use my Homeassistant server to control them from behind the firewall locally if they have that capability.
You make a terrifyingly interesting point. I did not consider this. Thank you.
Don't worry, OP. Samsung makes absolute dog shit appliances, so you'll be replacing that dishwasher sometime in the next 2 years anyways.
model #? You can usually find enough info from the FCC id, which often has pictures of insides, especially radio stuff like.
Edit: nvm, I had missed the Costco link. I'll see if I can find anything.
Thank you, the FCC filing is a good idea, if you find something useful that would be great.
I couldn't find it using the model number on fccid.io but it might be that the dishwashers themselves aren't FCC certified and they only send whatever wireless board they add to it.
Usually can find anything that has radio signals with teardown pics, etc.
It's funny a good open source washing machine with wifi could be amazing, would allow for so much more control by letting you modify programs and view diagnostics but proprietary hardware is never going to let you do the good stuff because the you wouldn't need to buy the more expensive but physically almost identical models.
Mine had an off button (key combo). Check the manual of the model before purchase. Never had to give it another thought.
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Disable it on the router. That way if you’re lucky it thinks it’s connected and so won’t constantly bother you about it.
commenting for tracking. I've been searching for the same.
Seems a little over the top. The AP will consume additional power. Just restricting Internet access via router should be way easier.
If you don't connect it to your network it shouldn't be an issue
If you can find where the antenna is, you can cover it with some metal tape to kill the signal. Or wrap the whole thing on a metal cage or foil, basically put the thing in a faraday cage.
I have a feeling they'd put the antenna in the front panel though, so that solution may not be super aesthethic if that's the case.
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