How the “internet of things” will replace the web

[paul1149]

I found this very perceptive. We are rapidly approaching the day when everything will be connected and recorded. Technology dazzles. It is very effective, a lot of fun at times, and basically unstoppable. But there is a dark side to it too. The human heart has not changed, and technology is just a arm allowing us to do what we want.

And the LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. -Gen 11:6

How the “internet of things” will replace the web

 

[EphesiaNZ]

The Internet of things or, how to let everyone on the internet into your home life and steal your information and real life possessions. How can you steal real life home possession over the net?

Well this video from Black Hat will make you think twice about home automation and etoys. The "smart bunny" has some really scary scenarios in relation to net enabled paedophiles - I feel very uneasy now about net enabled toddler toys with web cam ability...

The video is slighty long and a bit technical in places but most people will get the message that the talk and demos show.

Black Hat USA 2013 - Home Invasion v2.0 - Attacking Network-Controlled Hardware - YouTube

 

[paul1149]

Very powerful when you stop to consider the ramifications. Cameras on our kids, PIN codes for our door locks, all readily hacked.

Last week an amazing revelation came about the NSA. They're to the point where they can hack into computers that are off the grid from 8 miles away. I think they need a firmware back door, but that's pretty easy for them to arrange, either embedded in off-the-shelf commercial products or planted themselves by intercepting device shipments.

It's a paradoxical shift of power. At the same time the little guy is empowered by the INet, he also is made more vulnerable. And it's happening at break-neck speed.

It would take a great amount of public virtue to be able to handle the power of this technology. Unfortunately, the world is rushing in the opposite direction.

 

[C-Man]

I have a very simple defense against all of that.
Nothing in my house, save the computer, obviously, and a webcam that I almost never even plug in much less use, is even capable of being hooked to the internet.

Quite frankly, none of that electronic, web-enabled junk appeals to me. An appliance that you can hook up to the internet is a waste of money, and really of little to no use when you think about it. Wiring your house and alarm system to the internet so you can control it with a phone is an unbelievably stupid thing to do, and a waste of money to boot. A clever man with a phone or laptop can hack it, and what's the point of being able to turn your lights off from a hundred miles away? Or to be notified by some web-based thing when your alarm goes off? You'll get a phone call in that event anyway, and it's not like you can warp yourself to your house to stop it. Besides, it's just another way for your activities to be monitored by unscrupulous authorities.

People keep buying this crap because they simply can't resist the temptation.


I will never buy a smartphone. A telephone is a device used to make a call, and receive a call. I don't need a phone to tell me how to find some mexican food, or have me staring into it and twiddling away on it like an idiot when there are other things I could be doing. Plus, if I don't have any internet hardware on me, it'll be bloody hard to track me.

 

[EphesiaNZ]

When I see "smart" in front of a device name then I usually substitute it for "stupid", that pretty much shows its real monetary value to me.

As C-Man states, the market forces will push all this "internet of things" for its own gain and won't think for a second of real customer security. Hackers of the Black/White/Grey variety should be given kudos for showing how useless some of these "smart developers" are at coding but, these people tend to be given a bad name by the media and powers that be due to their "hacking". Developers are in general developers and code, few i have known or see have a good grasp of security concepts yet alone apply those concepts. I wonder what some of these manufacturers testing procedures are like, that is if they exist at all.

Paul, it looks as though the only entity that have good security processes seem to be the NSA but unfortunately they are truly on the questionable side of doing good for society in general.

 

[brinny]

Speaking of "smart", what about those "smart" meters, EphesiaNZ?

 

[EphesiaNZ]

Speaking of "smart", what about those "smart" meters, EphesiaNZ?

If you are referring to newer power meters which can be read remotely by electricity suppliers then they are quite smart. Quite smart for them that is, people here are reporting 10%-20% increase in their bills...

As far as hacking them, nothing is impossible.

 

[brinny]

i'm thinkin' of healthwise.....

 

[EphesiaNZ]

Hmm, I didn't even consider that aspect of them. Just read up about that and it's kinda disturbing too. All done in the name of an enhanced customer experience I guess.

 

[brinny]

scary...the analog meters are/were harmless, no risk at all...but these "smart" meters? There's all kinds of concerns and risks.....

 

[Christian Networking]

I have a very simple defense against all of that.
Nothing in my house, save the computer, obviously, and a webcam that I almost never even plug in much less use, is even capable of being hooked to the internet.

Quite frankly, none of that electronic, web-enabled junk appeals to me. An appliance that you can hook up to the internet is a waste of money,.... Besides, it's just another way for your activities to be monitored by unscrupulous authorities.

People keep buying this crap because they simply can't resist the temptation.


I will never buy a smartphone. A telephone is a device used to make a call, and receive a call. I don't need a phone to tell me how to find some mexican food, or have me staring into it and twiddling away on it like an idiot when there are other things I could be doing. Plus, if I don't have any internet hardware on me, it'll be bloody hard to track me.

Friend of mine states smarter electric meters will be able to tel what you use and when you use it. They don't need to internet to spy on you any longer.

Rick