cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/32265822

xkcd #3109: Dehumidifier

xkcd #3109: Dehumidifier

Title text:

It’s important for devices to have internet connectivity so the manufacturer can patch remote exploits.

Transcript:

[A store salesman, Hairy, is showing Cueball a dehumidifier, with a “SALE” label on it. Several other unidentified devices, possibly other dehumidifier models, are shown in the store as well.]

Salesman: This dehumidifier model features built-in WiFi for remote updates.
Cueball: Great! That will be really useful if they discover a new kind of water.

Source: https://xkcd.com/3109/

explainxkcd for #3109

  • tburkhol@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    13
    ·
    10 days ago

    I’ve watched enough Lock Picking Lawyer never to want a consumer ‘smart lock.’ Half of them can be opened with a magnet. Maybe commercial grade is better, but I’ve been locked out of my job after every power failure for the last 10 years, until someone comes along with a physical key.

    Re homeassistant on a Pi: homeassistant does a lot of database transactions, so you may want to have db storage on something other than an SD card.

    • Landless2029@lemmy.worldOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      10 days ago

      Good call. I was thinking of trying a 128GB usb3 stick I got. Maybe a ssd/nvme on a USB3 controller.

      • copd@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        10 days ago

        I have an old 2.5inch 500GB laptop HDD plugged into a USB/sata adaptor into my rasberry pi.

        that’s been running flawlessly for 3 years and drops every concern with running HA on a pi

    • Postmortal_Pop@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      10 days ago

      I have tentative plans to make my own smart lock by way of electric motor and commercial deadbolts with an RF scanner and a back up battery for emergency. It won’t be amazingly secure in a tech way, but I figure the combination of novelty and DIY should make it reliable.

      That said, I gotta be that guy and remind everyone that all locks are security theatre and are not going to protect your house from the persistent or prepared. Your best defense is a combination of foresight and social engineering.