[off-topic] internet-enabled thermostat

Anyone here rich enough to afford a $400 internet-enabled thermostat? (Don't raise your hands)

“Later still, the chamber [of commerce] discovered that its office printer and even a thermostat in one of its corporate apartments were still communicating with an Internet address in China.”

http://preview.tinyurl.com/7dzp2cf

My first thought was surprise that an infected PC brought back from China had malware that could find and invade an internet-enabled thermostat. That would be rather clever coding.

But then I realized, the thermostat was probably assembled in China and programmed there to scan for Windows hosts once inside of a purchaser’s firewall. This would be a much easier task.

And it would be fairly easy for such a thermostat to act as a relay for all sorts of mischief, bypassing all firewall protection.

--
Wes Groleau

You're all individuals!
Yes, we're all individuals!
You're all different!
Yes, we are all different!
I'm not!
("Life of Brian")

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Relevant Pages

  • Re: [off-topic] internet-enabled thermostat
    ... My first thought was surprise that an infected PC brought back from China ... had malware that could find and invade an internet-enabled thermostat. ... all sorts of mischief, bypassing all firewall protection. ...
    (alt.support.diabetes)
  • Re: [off-topic] internet-enabled thermostat
    ... I worry more about our government wanting to control my thermostat, ... And it would be fairly easy for such a thermostat to act as a relay for all sorts of mischief, bypassing all firewall protection. ...
    (alt.support.diabetes)