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Three million malware-infected smart toothbrushes used in Swiss DDoS attacks

tomshardware.com

11–20 of 182 posts

Re: Three million malware-infected smart toothbrushes used in Swiss DDoS attacks

#11
post #9

Dude. This is too much. My fridge is capable of being connected to the internet, so is my oven, garage door opener and my dishwasher. WHY? These things have worked so well without this crap. I wish manufacturers would stop this insanity.

Theory: you just don't connect them, right. Reality: connect or it won't start. Next step: integrated sim card.

Re: Three million malware-infected smart toothbrushes used in Swiss DDoS attacks

#12
post #2

My theory is that every technology goes through a period of experimentation before it’s clear how it should be employed. That’s why we had project plowshare for the bomb and now internet connectivity for every imaginable device, even ones that only need an on-off switch. I am a bit mystified why we need connected toothbrushes, but I very much applaud the spirit of experimentation, even if it sometimes gives us toothb…

Is it really experimentation or just slapping a higher price tag onto a device for added wifi connectivity.

How do we sell our product X for more? Just add wifi and AI. You can do it with almost anything.

Re: Three million malware-infected smart toothbrushes used in Swiss DDoS attacks

#13
post #2

My theory is that every technology goes through a period of experimentation before it’s clear how it should be employed. That’s why we had project plowshare for the bomb and now internet connectivity for every imaginable device, even ones that only need an on-off switch. I am a bit mystified why we need connected toothbrushes, but I very much applaud the spirit of experimentation, even if it sometimes gives us toothb…

  First they came for *The Onion*
  And I did not speak out
  For I was not an Onion writer

  Then they came for *Black Mirror*
  And I did not speak out
  For I was not a Mirror writer

  Then they came for Horselover Fat...
The sanity is already here – it's just not evenly distributed.

Re: Three million malware-infected smart toothbrushes used in Swiss DDoS attacks

#14
post #7

Why do toothbrushes need to be able to make web connections in the first place? I get that it's for tracking brushing habits, but can't that be done with local connectivity only, like LAN or something?

I'm with you, but unless the brush stores the data on itself, which appliance should receive those data in a typical home?

What's wrong with "the brush stores the data on itself"? Plenty of consumer products do that.

Re: Three million malware-infected smart toothbrushes used in Swiss DDoS attacks

#16
post #7

Why do toothbrushes need to be able to make web connections in the first place? I get that it's for tracking brushing habits, but can't that be done with local connectivity only, like LAN or something?

I'm with you, but unless the brush stores the data on itself, which appliance should receive those data in a typical home?

The users phone, via a Bluetooth connection?

Re: Three million malware-infected smart toothbrushes used in Swiss DDoS attacks

#17
post #2

My theory is that every technology goes through a period of experimentation before it’s clear how it should be employed. That’s why we had project plowshare for the bomb and now internet connectivity for every imaginable device, even ones that only need an on-off switch. I am a bit mystified why we need connected toothbrushes, but I very much applaud the spirit of experimentation, even if it sometimes gives us toothb…

> every technology goes through a period of experimentation before it's clear how it should be employed.

Sure, but as I said here yesterday [0] experimentation is something that has far reaching consequences, and that's why professional scientists have codes of ethics that seem quite absent in the tech world.

Also, as far as the Internet goes, we've had maybe 40 years of time to "experiment". There comes a time for results, conclusions and some sort of maturity in outcomes.

[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/context?id=39253045

Re: Three million malware-infected smart toothbrushes used in Swiss DDoS attacks

#19
> Though we don’t have the finer details of the DDoS story, it serves as yet another warning for device owners to do their best to keep their devices, firmware, and software updated; monitor their networks for suspicious activity; install and use security software; and follow network security best practices.

Maybe they should only allow qualified consumers with required certification to purchase such a smart toothbrush.

Re: Three million malware-infected smart toothbrushes used in Swiss DDoS attacks

#20
post #9

Dude. This is too much. My fridge is capable of being connected to the internet, so is my oven, garage door opener and my dishwasher. WHY? These things have worked so well without this crap. I wish manufacturers would stop this insanity.

> My fridge is capable of being connected to the internet, so is my oven, garage door opener and my dishwasher. WHY?

Because you bought them dude! :)

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