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Thread: The Consequences of Snazzy Hardware

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    HEXUS webmaster Steve's Avatar
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    The Consequences of Snazzy Hardware

    From the front page:
    It's that time of year we reflect over the last 12 months, and looking at the technological advances we've seen, along with the security issues we've faced, I started to ponder...

    "Your toaster has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for any inconvencience caused." As technology advances, electrical appliances get cleverer. There may be a day when the above message, while amusing now, becomes a reality. After all, we have Internet Fridges already.

    This vision started when I read a CNN Story today about viruses on mobile phones. Remember the days when "mobiles" were barely able to do more than make a phone call? Since then we have seen phones evolve into devices which also act as PDA's (or the other way around - it is hard to tell sometimes.) As more features are added, they become more like our desktop PC's, and perhaps one of the downsides to sharing information across these platforms is that viruses will spread that way too. Right now the biggest issue is exploitation of the bluetooth capabilities of many phones, however other points of entry into the phone will be created and exploited as time goes on.

    So, currently we worry about protecting our computers. Soon we will need to be just as careful with our mobile. And in the future we may be discussing which spyware remover is best for our toaster.
    What do you guys think? Are we headed in that direction, or will we not need to concern ourselves with the virus definitions for our household appliances?
    Last edited by Steve; 27-12-2004 at 08:28 PM.
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    Cable Guy Jonny M's Avatar
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    I think before we get to that point, we will all have central home servers anyway, where things like your TV, handhelds etc all connect, and the virus scanning will be done on those.

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    HEXUS webmaster Steve's Avatar
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    The centrally managed house? Yeah that had crossed my mind.

    My only concern with that is what happens when the "server" experiences downtime?
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    iMc
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    You freeze to death because of the server controlled central heating system...
    HEXUS|iMc

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    HEXUS webmaster Steve's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by iMc
    You freeze to death because of the server controlled central heating system...
    You do realise when I'm not doing the HEXUS News I'm working for a boiler company?
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    "Your Boiler has encountered an error and needs to be shut down"
    Bored of the old one, new one coming soon

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    Don't feed the trolls... tiggerai's Avatar
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    • tiggerai's system
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    hackers would turn your freezer off, so you have to eat random items of food for tea!
    (my sister accidentally did this the other day, so we had to have scampi and sausage rolls for lunch, and fondue for tea(not so bad))

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    Drop it like it's hot Howard's Avatar
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    Some script kiddie would turn your central heating up to murderous levels so you melt in your sleep
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    iMc
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    Imagine having god damn pop up's on your TV. :@
    HEXUS|iMc

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    TiG
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    I wish people would not even think about "connecting" my appliances. I'd rather them spend time making washing machines last 20 years, rather than making them "internet ready", i couldn't care less if they could do X, Y and Z with internet connectivity, things like toasters, cookers, fridges and freezers DO NOT need internet connectivity.

    Heating should be controlled on a timer, and be setup appropriately.

    TiG
    -- Hexus Meets Rock! --

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    Unhappy

    Quote Originally Posted by TiG
    I wish people would not even think about "connecting" my appliances. I'd rather them spend time making washing machines last 20 years, rather than making them "internet ready", i couldn't care less if they could do X, Y and Z with internet connectivity, things like toasters, cookers, fridges and freezers DO NOT need internet connectivity.

    Heating should be controlled on a timer, and be setup appropriately.

    TiG
    I completely agree! I dont want all this 'connected house'. It would just be a huge timewaster. Like you id much prefer companies work on their reliability. Of course this will never happen because if reliability goes up, sales go down.

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    Apart from my PC I like to keep things simple, I have a bog standard gas oven with no timer nonense & a low spec Nokia that just makes call's and I like it that way.

    The thing that gets me is as we all relay on technology and inter-connectivity more the less we will relay on our own motor neuron skills to do things for our selves, Will we end up just being inward looking shells and when it all goes haywire will we shout for mother to help?

    Of course there will be no response and only those that have kept some of the primal instinct will survive whilst those that have allowed themselves to be immersed will perish.

    On that note I end todays Bright & Cheerful Sermon
    Founder of stupidity

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    DR
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    I like the idea of being able to turn my oven on from my PDA on the way home or something - and to be able to check the heating levels for when I fly back - maybe look in my fridge from a remote PDA via a webcam in it - check what food i have

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    HEXUS webmaster Steve's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by David
    maybe look in my fridge from a remote PDA via a webcam in it - check what food i have
    Barcode scanning when you add and remove stuff would be easier, though would require more user vigilence.
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    DR
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kez
    Barcode scanning when you add and remove stuff would be easier, though would require more user vigilence.

    Would be easier but a lot more effort.

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    Photographer; for hire!! shiato storm's Avatar
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    the MOD has a real issue with something called temple. you can actually see what someone has on their computer screen if they leave their phone next to it by accessing various frequencies your phone uses via a laptop within about a kilometer. pretty cool and some top secret documents have been leaked out this way. not that they were vital to the country's security but gives you something to think about!
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