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Read this before you buy that TV streaming stick

krebsonsecurity.com

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Re: Read this before you buy that TV streaming stick

#251

Post by omilu »

al_borland wrote: post #180
SoftTalker wrote: post #145

> Despite repeated warnings from the FBI and security industry leaders about the security and privacy risks of using these streaming devices, major e-commerce providers like Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg and others continue to sell hundreds of different models and brands I scanned the comments and I didn't see anyone suggesting that these companies should share any responsibility for selling these harmful products. Why is…

One of the main value propositions for retailers in a world of endless cheap garbage being sold online, is to vet products so customers can trust that what their buying is from a legitimate company and not junk or stuff like these streaming sticks. This is the problem with being an “everything store”. “Everything” includes a lot of things most consumers would like to be protected from, and assume they are due to the…

Costco vets their products very well, if I see something at costco and its something I need I just buy it. No need to research and I've never been burned. They only sell good quality stuff.

Re: Read this before you buy that TV streaming stick

#252

Post by StilesCrisis »

ryandrake wrote: post #186
SoftTalker wrote: post #145

> Despite repeated warnings from the FBI and security industry leaders about the security and privacy risks of using these streaming devices, major e-commerce providers like Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg and others continue to sell hundreds of different models and brands I scanned the comments and I didn't see anyone suggesting that these companies should share any responsibility for selling these harmful products. Why is…

I would very much be in favor of grocery stores sharing responsibility (and regulatory penalties) for selling tainted food! It's kind of mind boggling that this is controversial. "Buyer beware" is not an acceptable basis for society to function.

This is unfortunately exactly how society operates in China. It is basically on the buyer to confirm that they're getting something acceptable. Once they've paid, it is what it is.

Re: Read this before you buy that TV streaming stick

#253

Post by zdragnar »

bdamm wrote: post #246
ephemeral67 wrote: post #220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

interesting bit of information: most EV mower companies now do not provide replacement parts - if a mower dies within warranty, a 'certified' warranty repair shop does basic troubleshooting, and if it's beyond a piece of cheap plastic, the mfr just ships a new mower to the 'repair shop'. Once out of warranty, you're on your own.

My electric mower has lasted longer than the gasoline mower before it, which literally had plastic valves inside the carbeurtator.

Counter anecdote, I've had gas mowers survive decades and EV electrical equipment (in this case, a chainsaw and a battery pack for a mower) both die within 14 months of purchase.

Re: Read this before you buy that TV streaming stick

#254

Post by usef- »

jkahrs595 wrote: post #239
azan_ wrote: post #218

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Absolutely, there's no scam outside capitalism!

Outside of capitalism is outer space, so your snarky comment is actually true.

I think he meant the other kind of "outside", not physically. Plenty of bad stories.

Re: Read this before you buy that TV streaming stick

#255

Post by chihuahua »

iugtmkbdfil834 wrote: post #22
pavel_lishin wrote: post #6

> generic TV boxes that promise unlimited content streaming for a one-time fee I don't want to blame the purchasers of these things - who are some of the victims - but at the same time, it does seem like a Too Good To Be True situation.

Uhh, I have an extended family member, who not only uses it, but now also tries to get other people to get into it. Since I was familiar with this practice ( and the issues it makes worse ), I noted those to him in an attempt to both politely decline and, hopefully, spare him, and society, some future problems. Without going into any identifying details, he didn't take it well ( and I don't think I got on my high hor…

According to the Darknet Diaries podcast episode "Superbox", some of these devices are sold via multi-level marketing schemes, which would explain why there are random individuals selling these, collecting a commission for each device sold. Which is why the person you mentioned is unhappy when someone points out the problems with these devices.

Re: Read this before you buy that TV streaming stick

#256

Post by aeturnum »

codedokode wrote: post #73
aeturnum wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They do ask the device owner - if you review the location services description on android[1] you will see they explicitly say they collect this information from your device. I strongly disagree that they need to get government permission for this - they are simply recording signals that reach the device, akin to making notes about what kinds of cars you see. This is not a thing a government should have control over p…

In the article you refer to, I see no mention of asking user's permission. However, I remember, when using an old version of Android, there indeed was a popup nagging me to allow sharing location data with Google every time I enabled GPS. Very annoying, makes you want to never enable GPS in the first place. Regarding the government, the problem is that many people do not fully understand the mechanism of collecting t…

I suppose they don't "ask you" in the same way that gmail never presents the user with a dialog explaining that gmail needs to store their emails in order to provide their email service. Instead they explain how the location service works and you can decide if you want to enable or disable it.

I'll agree that militaries would prefer their soldiers to not to dumb things - but I don't agree that it's 'obviously' best if people needed permission to enable GPS! If that's the case depends a lot on which soldier is enabling the GPS and their relation to me. In general I would say that government control of people recording and distributing their observations is associated with the most authoritarian governments and by claiming we should get government permission you appear to be aligning yourself with an authoritarian approach to data controls.

Re: Read this before you buy that TV streaming stick

#258

Post by exe34 »

Gigachad wrote: post #247
drnick1 wrote: post #243

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you for reminding us that electric mowers are garbage.

Everything is garbage now. It’s the end state of unrestrained capitalism.

Surely not, the invisible hand of the market should crawl up their arse and make them do the right thing any day now.
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