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Garmin services and production go down after ransomware attack

zdnet.com

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Re: Garmin services and production go down after ransomware attack

#101

Post by jacquesm »

nradov wrote: post #87
jacquesm wrote: post #59

The internet-of-things that aren't really your things strikes again. When will manufacturers learn that their hardware should function even if their services are down? The whole account/subscription tacked on for no apparent reason thing is highly irritating, and Garmin is actually better than most.

Yes the Garmin Connect mobile app ought to be able to do a lot more without a server connection. But in fairness to Garmin they don't charge subscription fees. After you buy a device you can use the service for free.

If it is up.

Re: Garmin services and production go down after ransomware attack

#102

Post by petee »

exabrial wrote: post #6

Their products are designed to work offline. Despite the cloud being down I have full local functionality right now. (Though I can't see my history, surprised they don't cache that locally). Last year when I did a 9-day canoe trip with no cell phone reception, all of my Garmin gear worked flawlessly (wearables, navigation devices, and their offline map app). Can't say the same about my friends iWatches/fitbits or eve…

Garmin Connect app won't even show you data sync'd from a watch unless its online and connected. Simple things like hours slept, or miles walked will not show. Right now it just has a "server maintenance" message, and won't show anything that uses a graph, or historical data...nothing is stored locally.

On my recent hiking trip, the watch had no problem recording and sync'ing tracks, but the connect app refused to render any of that data until mobile data was connected again.

Re: Garmin services and production go down after ransomware attack

#104

Post by petee »

izzydata wrote: post #82
kylebarron wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What about their Inreach products, which are designed for backcountry SOS emergency calls to search and rescue? That certainly needs a network.

From my understanding it doesn't rely on the internet or Garmin servers. I believe it was called Iridium satellite network. It needs to work anywhere on the planet. It is a separate subscription based service.

They do use Iridium, but its not clear who runs the end-service...if you use the SOS feature, it contacts a Garmin center (i believe), who then dispatch the appropriate services. Its not an actual sarsat plb.

So if Garmin's system is down, there is a very real risk that these services won't have anyone on the other end to answer the call.

Re: Garmin services and production go down after ransomware attack

#105

Post by toomuchtodo »

exabrial wrote: post #79
quest88 wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

FYI for anyone else reading: Google maps lets you download maps for offline use.

It has a transactional guarantee of "maybe". I would _definitely_ not rely on this functionality for anything other than non-critical or time sensitive casual navigation on roadways. When I'm out in the bush, I need my device to be up and working locally. It seems that stuff designed in SV just assumes the lifestyle of 100% connectivity is universal.

Do you have any recommendations for digital mapping solutions that “just work” without connectivity?

Re: Garmin services and production go down after ransomware attack

#107

Post by zachware »

petee wrote: post #104
izzydata wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From my understanding it doesn't rely on the internet or Garmin servers. I believe it was called Iridium satellite network. It needs to work anywhere on the planet. It is a separate subscription based service.

They do use Iridium, but its not clear who runs the end-service...if you use the SOS feature, it contacts a Garmin center (i believe), who then dispatch the appropriate services. Its not an actual sarsat plb. So if Garmin's system is down, there is a very real risk that these services won't have anyone on the other end to answer the call.

It doesn't contact Garmin. It's a shared emergency response center akin to some home security system companies. They share with a few tracker services.

Update: The use GEOS https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=garmin+...

Re: Garmin services and production go down after ransomware attack

#108

Post by petee »

zachware wrote: post #107
petee wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They do use Iridium, but its not clear who runs the end-service...if you use the SOS feature, it contacts a Garmin center (i believe), who then dispatch the appropriate services. Its not an actual sarsat plb. So if Garmin's system is down, there is a very real risk that these services won't have anyone on the other end to answer the call.

It doesn't contact Garmin. It's a shared emergency response center akin to some home security system companies. They share with a few tracker services. Update: The use GEOS https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=garmin+...

Do you happen to know the name of the company? I didn't see one while i've been browsing for it, and it doesn't seem to be iridium themselves

edit: Thanks!

Re: Garmin services and production go down after ransomware attack

#109

Post by zachware »

zachware wrote: post #81
SketchySeaBeast wrote: post #34

A close relation of mine got sick back country hiking and needed to text for someone to meet at a rendezous just this week using Garmin's texting services - I hope that this doesn't last long, I'd hate to think of what would happen if he'd tried to ask for help today. Edit: Looks like Garmin 'Explore' is still up, so maybe it'd still be OK.

I think the Inreach sat services operate on the iridium network. They don't sync with or connect to Garmin Connect based on my experiences.

Update: They use GEOS https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=garmin+...
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