View Full Version : Tails of the state of "helpful" Internet Technology?
I have a friend that is a conservative technology guru.
No, really there are a couple out there...
This is Ron's Sunday AM post.
Nest owners! Enjoy your increasingly intimate relationship with Google. “Google's new Nest Hub includes a radar ... the smart display makes use of Google's Soli tech to monitor sleep.”. Just sleep?
It also has of course a camera and microphone. So what part of my movement around the house won’t now be continuously streamed to Google?
And what precisely are they doing with the data?
Answer: that’s unclear and moot because you’ve granted them an unlimited right to use the data when setting up the device.
My short tail of my personal observation of the new "helpful" internet technology?
Last fall I installed a new thermostat for my AC. It can be "tuned" using a small app on my phone, to my desired temp.
Last week, I received an email from Virginia Power,,
They "offer" to tune my AC from their systems for peek performance "remotely", claiming to only change the temp by 3-4 degrees. Tuning the AC to THEIR desired temp (I suspect to balance their network peek period power loads,, not for my comfort)...
Not going to happen on my watch.
How do they know about my new wifi enabled SMART thermostat??😡
I can see a near future where you don't get to choose, Where swamp critters write EO's from the WH, Where you are forced to accept their "desired" choices for the good of the sheeple state😡
These tails reference GOOGLE and My Thermostat. Extrapolate for all the "smart" technology toys you are installing in your homes and you may have a feeling for the technology OPPERTUNITIES??
I have a friend that is a conservative technology guru.
No, really there are a couple out there...
This is Ron's Sunday AM post.
My short tail of my personal observation of the new "helpful" internet technology?
Last fall I installed a new thermostat for my AC. It can be "tuned" using a small app on my phone, to my desired temp.
Last week, I received an email from Virginia Power,,
They "offer" to tune my AC from their systems for peek performance "remotely", claiming to only change the temp by 3-4 degrees. Tuning the AC to THEIR desired temp (I suspect to balance their network peek period power loads,, not for my comfort)...
Not going to happen on my watch.
How do they know about my new wifi enabled SMART thermostat??😡
I can see a near future where you don't get to choose, Where swamp critters write EO's from the WH, Where you are forced to accept their "desired" choices for the good of the sheeple state😡
These tails reference GOOGLE and My Thermostat. Extrapolate for all the "smart" technology toys you are installing in your homes and you may have a feeling for the technology OPPERTUNITIES??
I remember when Kalifornia first started having rolling blacks outs several years ago and a radio host (probably Glenn Beck) began warning listeners that eventually rolling blackout would become common across the nation. In my area all the service meters were replaced with SMART Meters so the Utility can cut the power to an area at the flip of a switch regardless of the thermostat.
For the first time in my lifetime, almost 60 years, we had our first rolling black out this past January. This also coincides with the local electric company merging with the local gas company and the push for sustainable energy.
Golf1echo
03-21-2021, 09:46
As an observation I’m seeing as this community’s population increases with an influx of Left Coasters and the political landscape changes the city council and county commissioners have weaponized the utility company*.
A few examples:
When utilities are disconnected a prorated penalty is imposed on those accounts. In order to reconnect that fee is imposed.
Water restrictions imposed, outside watering is limited to 3 days a week with few exceptions. Water fees have taken on penalties for over use. All existing wells had to be registered and posted.
Natural Gas, about a year ago I was made aware of an effort to discontinue natural gas all together and signed a petition against those efforts since the properties here have gas stoves, driers, hot water heaters and furnaces as well as the fact that natural gas is an efficient way to heat. Recently and it seems coincidentally the utility was caught short during the extreme weather that dipped down into Texas. They had to purchase gas at a much higher price and now consumers will pay 58% higher rates for the next 15 months to over come their deficiencies.
https://krdo.com/news/2021/03/17/300-storm-becomes-400-as-colorado-springs-utilities-recommends-new-rate-hike/
Like many things these days the powers that be just say shucks... I realize that most people just have one house and are just absorbing these costs. It becomes much more poignant for investors and property management with basic fees before actual usage fees being higher than total fees and usage at other utility accounts in other states. Add in that property taxes nearly doubled a few years ago It gives insight into how politicians feel about individual property owners being just another revenue source. At the same time they have committed to development for another 250,000 people in the next several years.
* Utility company here is owned by the city.
Edit: All meters are Landis Gyr smart meters at all location I deal with, the big differences are who or what ( cooperative vs private or municipal run) managed the utility.
tom kelly
03-21-2021, 14:30
CONTROL over YOU...That big stimulus check, checks (I never got one penny) will be insignificant with the tax increases and rising prices of everything...Gasoline will be $5.00 a gallon by end of summer, food will go up, jobs will be lost, and the radical democrats will continue to destroy The U S A...REMEMBER, Your VOTE has all ready been counted and certified by the DNC & guess who won ???
Good thing peer competitors aren't constantly poking at US networks to find a way in; things could turn out poorly for our electric grids across the nation if every home in a region or nationally suddenly jacked up their heat or cranked their AC units and the sudden spike in electricity usage caused a grid failure. :rolleyes:
Badger52
03-22-2021, 04:53
How do they know about my new wifi enabled SMART thermostat??😡
Couple of different ways. Most likely is simply that you downloaded the app. When you do that you are likely de facto agreeing to let them use your subject-matter-related info (interest in temp control apps for smart thermostats) and it gets provided to others. Even if it's someone else's app, the app store that allows it to be there available for you gets their 10% for their Big Guy via sale of your information.
The other possible way is that the power company is doing a drive-around in the neighborhood reading their own smart meters and your device popped up on your network. How is the security on your thermostat and your wi-fi point...?
Couple of different ways. Most likely is simply that you downloaded the app.
How is the security on your thermostat and your wi-fi point...?
I think you're correct. When you register for a warranty and set up the app.
The manufacture has installed two software updates, so I think the app squealed to the utility.
As to my setup. I use two serial passthrough routers, both with firewalls and a VPN service, with a non-related virus app.
The thermostat is connected to the outside router and not the router with my system.
My condo uses computer controlled remote utilities recording. Not sure what it is capable of?? :munchin
mark46th
03-22-2021, 09:20
I think I heard my robot vacuum telling my microwave to kill me.
At the end of the day, for every "out" they give you to keep your information *private*, they have a backdoor for. It's really just a "feel-good" for us to think we are able to control our information output, but...they are truly the controllers of our information.
tom kelly
03-22-2021, 15:02
How can you effectively block a signal from any electronic device i-phone, lap-top computer, printer, Thermostat, TV with router box, Does anyone here have an effective method to stop the flow of information in or out of these devices short of complete destruction, Would wrapping an i phone in a copper envelope be sufficient any other material that would block an electronic signal, lead, mylar, silver ? I have a printer that "Talks to HP" so when the Ink supply is low they, HP send me new cartridges & auto bill my credit card. I get billed but do not get the ink, Not a big amount $3.00/month but it always works to HP's advantage. Turning off the printer has not made a difference so I cancelled the auto credit pmt. I have un-plugged the printer and it still has a memory to bill my credit card. How can I erase the memory from the printer? any thoughts.!!!!
How can I erase the memory from the printer? any thoughts.!!!!
Tom
You need to
1)Check your CC or bank account to see if it is set up to automatically send money to HP
2)Call HP and demand they stop sending electronic bills to your CC
I think I heard my robot vacuum telling my microwave to kill me.
:D
Badger52
03-22-2021, 18:54
:DYou rascal; beat me to it.
:cool:
So who's "Dave" here - the utility, the condo ass'n, or did your thermostat suddenly become self-aware when you downloaded the app? Holy garage bay doors, man!
If your app ever says "this conversation can serve no purpose anymore" get a BFH and whack the m'fer.
:munchin
sfshooter
03-22-2021, 22:18
I'd have to ask him what the name and model was, but a friend of mine had a cheap cell signal blocker. We'd sit in the bar and he would turn it on when people starting playing on their phones nearby.
It seemed to work pretty good if you were close by.
I'd have to ask him what the name and model was, but a friend of mine had a cheap cell signal blocker. We'd sit in the bar and he would turn it on when people starting playing on their phones nearby.
It seemed to work pretty good if you were close by.
Emerson Sensi
My fix is to turn the AC off. Just off my BR is the air-handler with an on/off wall switch for maintenance. Most of the year I turn the unit off at dinner time and back on the next AM. When the weather is good (50-70 deg) I may not turn the AC on for the day.
PS: Tell me about the wifi blocker. I could use one when the g-kids visit. :munchin
Peregrino
03-23-2021, 08:02
I'd have to ask him what the name and model was, but a friend of mine had a cheap cell signal blocker. We'd sit in the bar and he would turn it on when people starting playing on their phones nearby.
It seemed to work pretty good if you were close by.
I recommend caution using one of these devices. IIRC, the FCC takes a dim view of civilians using jamming devices - as in criminal charges if they catch you.
sfshooter
03-24-2021, 03:16
Well, that's good to know. I'll be sure and pass that info along.
miclo18d
03-24-2021, 05:26
I recommend caution using one of these devices. IIRC, the FCC takes a dim view of civilians using jamming devices - as in criminal charges if they catch you.
This ^^^^^
Working on my HAM license and this is a no no....it’s a jammer. You could do it with a radio that transmits on wifi / cell freqs, just hit the PTT with a higher wattage than the router / phones and blamo....”my wifi went out”
And yes, the FCC will look into it. They may not get you the first few times but have a conversation with your 18Es on RDF and why you never sent your comms traffic inside the G-Base.
Badger52
03-24-2021, 17:15
This ^^^^^
Working on my HAM license and this is a no no....it’s a jammer. You could do it with a radio that transmits on wifi / cell freqs, just hit the PTT with a higher wattage than the router / phones and blamo....”my wifi went out”
And yes, the FCC will look into it. They may not get you the first few times but have a conversation with your 18Es on RDF and why you never sent your comms traffic inside the G-Base.First, good luck with your ham ticket. Pound the online exams when you've studied the basics. And study & test for the General, at minimum. The Extra is a different cat, but a shitload of the material on the Tech is regurgitated on the General. After you pass the Tech, hit the head, have a donut, and sit down & pass the General. Because HF & "Lebensraum" on the bands.
Way back in another galaxy I actually had a tasking from a base CO to investigate such a setup for his conference room to get people's Blackberries to stop being a distraction (and they were a "new shiny object" then). After the requisite deep-dive into the state-of-tech & the laws with a planning cell buddy JAG scheister we gave him the official thumbs-down. (The basis of the law actually goes back to 1937 - "wireless" still means "wireless" and "interference" still means just that.)
I naturally gave him an alternative in a hallway conversation, as in, "Sir you're the CO. Tell them to turn the fuckin' things off." Light went on, no more buzzing during briefings.
But don't forget, when Government jams YOUR signal or makes your device home on a fake hotspot it's OK because it's for your own good.
:munchin