The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is issuing this Public Service Announcement to warn the public about cyber criminals exploiting Internet of Things (IoT) devices connected to home networks to conduct criminal activity using the BADBOX 2.0 botnet2. Cyber criminals gain unauthorized access to home networks through compromised IoT devices, such as TV streaming devices, digital projectors, aftermarket vehicle infotainment systems, digital picture frames and other products. Most of the infected devices were manufactured in China.
Just putting this out there for everyone. The more I get into network security the more I find these "IoT" and connected devices so cringe worthy. The cheaper the more cringe worthy. Think about how often even our phones need to be patched.
Avoiding China for electronics is impossible but stick to big name brands because overall I have to believe they are keeping the bad actors out to some degree. I have rallied against devices and software made in China by Chinese owned companies for years at this point to anyone who will listen. LG, Lenovo, Visio, TCL, Hisense, DJI, TikTok, Huawei and others. Some US brands have been bought by China over the years as well. GE Appliances (Owned by Haier) and Motorola Mobility come to mind. That said I do own some things (like a smart LG Drier bought during COVID), but NO I do not have it connected to anything. The whole idea of connecting appliances to me is so foreign. It could be handy but at what expense?
The Chinese government is an adversary. They treat us that way. Regardless if nothing else, there is a mentality in China that the ends justify the means. They think the west is wrong to be such stringent rule followers. That also explains a lot.
... Tip: Avoid Cheap Electronics Made in China ...
In one respect, I do not disagree. The Chinese devices (webcams and such) seem to be more spying products than anything else.
But, OK, given that, now do Big Tech in America.
For example ...
Does Comcast look at, save and analyze all the DNS requests you make as a Comcast subscriber?
Comcast fights Google's encrypted-DNS plan but promises not to spy on users (2019)
arstechnica.com
... Comcast has gone on the record to say that it does not track its broadband users' Web browsing histories, even though the company is lobbying against a Google plan that could make it harder for ISPs to track their users. ...
Comcast further said that it does not and has never sold "information that identifies who you are to anyone," and the company claims it has never sold location data gathered from Comcast's mobile service. ...
The implication of all that is that Comcast does track and save the user data it collects.
Interesting to note that Comcast's statement only talks about "its broadband users' Web browsing histories."
Not DNS or its mobile users' data.
imo, weasel words.
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