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Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file

theregister.com

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Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file

#61

Post by bgwhn »

userbinator wrote: post #54

One thing you have to understand is that these internet-connected Blu-ray players in question are programmed to log their activities and send copies of this information to Samsung. In some ways, this is even more disturbing than the bricking. Only corporate greed can create a media player that watches you and needs constant firmware updates. I have a VCR and DVD player which still work, and things like this are the r…

I'm with you, and I prefer "dumb" devices, but you can still buy these blu-ray players and not connect them to the internet.

The internet connectivity is sold as an additional feature so that you can use your blu-ray player to watch Netflix. I agree that I don't want logging on a device like this, but if I was going to connect one of these to the internet, I would at least want regular security updates.

Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file

#62

Post by xg15 »

userbinator wrote: post #54

One thing you have to understand is that these internet-connected Blu-ray players in question are programmed to log their activities and send copies of this information to Samsung. In some ways, this is even more disturbing than the bricking. Only corporate greed can create a media player that watches you and needs constant firmware updates. I have a VCR and DVD player which still work, and things like this are the r…

Don't worry though, the players will only upload the logs, after you've granted consent...

... which you'll automatically give by approving a tome-sized privacy policy

... that you have to accept if you want to use any kind of internet feature, such as watching Netflix.

I love the world we're living in...

Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file

#63

Post by notimetorelax »

xg15 wrote: post #62
userbinator wrote: post #54

One thing you have to understand is that these internet-connected Blu-ray players in question are programmed to log their activities and send copies of this information to Samsung. In some ways, this is even more disturbing than the bricking. Only corporate greed can create a media player that watches you and needs constant firmware updates. I have a VCR and DVD player which still work, and things like this are the r…

Don't worry though, the players will only upload the logs, after you've granted consent... ... which you'll automatically give by approving a tome-sized privacy policy ... that you have to accept if you want to use any kind of internet feature, such as watching Netflix. I love the world we're living in...

This is the whole point of the GDPR.

Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file

#64

Post by RandomBacon »

bgwhn wrote: post #61
userbinator wrote: post #54

One thing you have to understand is that these internet-connected Blu-ray players in question are programmed to log their activities and send copies of this information to Samsung. In some ways, this is even more disturbing than the bricking. Only corporate greed can create a media player that watches you and needs constant firmware updates. I have a VCR and DVD player which still work, and things like this are the r…

I'm with you, and I prefer "dumb" devices, but you can still buy these blu-ray players and not connect them to the internet. The internet connectivity is sold as an additional feature so that you can use your blu-ray player to watch Netflix. I agree that I don't want logging on a device like this, but if I was going to connect one of these to the internet, I would at least want regular security updates.

Vote with your wallet. Don't buy these internet devices.

All it takes is for a visiting family member or friend who wants to watch Netflix while you're in another room/asleep/etc to click okay.

Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file

#65

Post by Johnny555 »

userbinator wrote: post #54

One thing you have to understand is that these internet-connected Blu-ray players in question are programmed to log their activities and send copies of this information to Samsung. In some ways, this is even more disturbing than the bricking. Only corporate greed can create a media player that watches you and needs constant firmware updates. I have a VCR and DVD player which still work, and things like this are the r…

It's worse than you think - it's not just your DVD player that's spying on you, but your TV is too -- many TV's use Automated Content Recognition to detect what you're watching regardless of source (DVD, over the air, streaming app, etc). They even detect commercials, and which language you're listening to.

https://www.adexchanger.com/ad-exchange-news/the-marketers-g...

Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file

#66

Post by RandomBacon »

petepete wrote: post #12
vezycash wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Samsung TV after a firmware update injected advertising into the UI. Wouldn't Samsung and the rest have stopped this if people just returned the TV?

Probably. Connivingly they waited for 9 months after I bought the TV before releasing the firmware update. I wrote a guide years ago on blocking them via DNS which loads of people found useful. These days a PiHole is probably a better option. https://gist.github.com/peteryates/b44b70d19ccd52f62d66cdd4b...

Did you buy it with a credit card? Check to see if your credit card has additional return/warranty periods.

Or, if you have the time and opportunity, sue the manufacturer in small claims court.

Better yet, tell your friends and family about how the ads start after the return period closed, and encourage everyone not buy that garbage in the first place.

Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file

#67

Post by RandomBacon »

colejohnson66 wrote: post #30
tpmx wrote: post #21

I think the best approach is to never, ever connect a device like a TV, Blu-ray player, etc to the internet. That's the only way they'll survive. So far no HDMI-based attacks. Hotglue the ethernet port?

That doesn’t work if your BluRay player requires an internet connection. Yes, they exist.

Then return it and buy one that doesn't.

Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file

#68

Post by untog »

RandomBacon wrote: post #64
bgwhn wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm with you, and I prefer "dumb" devices, but you can still buy these blu-ray players and not connect them to the internet. The internet connectivity is sold as an additional feature so that you can use your blu-ray player to watch Netflix. I agree that I don't want logging on a device like this, but if I was going to connect one of these to the internet, I would at least want regular security updates.

Vote with your wallet. Don't buy these internet devices. All it takes is for a visiting family member or friend who wants to watch Netflix while you're in another room/asleep/etc to click okay.

Easier said than done. It’s increasingly difficult to find a “dumb” TV these days. Almost all have smart functionality.

(and besides, most TVs have other ways of watching Netflix that ought to be more convenient for a visitor. A $30 Roku stick is all you need)

Re: Samsung Blu-ray players bricked because of an XML config file

#70

Post by RandomBacon »

untog wrote: post #68
RandomBacon wrote: post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Vote with your wallet. Don't buy these internet devices. All it takes is for a visiting family member or friend who wants to watch Netflix while you're in another room/asleep/etc to click okay.

Easier said than done. It’s increasingly difficult to find a “dumb” TV these days. Almost all have smart functionality. (and besides, most TVs have other ways of watching Netflix that ought to be more convenient for a visitor. A $30 Roku stick is all you need)

Sceptre makes 4K dumb TVs (Walmart).

You can also find other brand 4K dumb TVs on Amazon.

A guest might not see it plugged in and not know to try all the HDMI inputs before selecting the easy, built-in option on the TV.

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