never trust samsung - Page 2

**Topcat** · 08-26-2021, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJARRRPCGP

This sounds worse than the laptop-anti-theft debacles!

Computrace ring any bells?

Any time I get a laptop that has computrace as an option in the BIOS but deactivated, I disable it....which is permanent. Once it's disabled, it can not be enabled again. If it's activated, your laptop is a paperweight. This is something you have to watch out for when buying off-lease laptops.

**stj** · 08-26-2021, 11:44 AM

rip the modules with a bios editor - computrace is malware that inserts files into the o.s.

incidentally, leaving a smart tv offline may not work.
i read that a lot of the newer ones also have BLE bluetooth and can create their own fucking mesh-network!!!

**TechGeek** · 08-26-2021, 01:28 PM

I've got a Panasonic 65" plasma TV from 2011. I'm using it until it irreparably fails, which will likely be a panel failure or loss of unobtainium parts.

If I ever get a smart TV, it's getting the wireless hardware ripped out of it (or at least having its antennas disconnected and terminators connected in place of them) and it's going on a hardwired power switch.

**RJARRRPCGP** · 08-26-2021, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topcat

Computrace ring any bells?

Any time I get a laptop that has computrace as an option in the BIOS but deactivated, I disable it....which is permanent. Once it's disabled, it can not be enabled again. If it's activated, your laptop is a paperweight. This is something you have to watch out for when buying off-lease laptops.

I'm more worried about the feature being used as an artificial time-bomb to force me to throw out the TV!

**Dan81** · 08-26-2021, 10:17 PM

I am suggesting removing both LAN and WLAN chips with hot air. Anything that poses as a means of internet conectivity must be exterminated when it comes to those "Smart" TVs.

**stj** · 08-27-2021, 03:27 AM

and remove camera's and microphones!!!
i always remove them from laptops.

**Topcat** · 08-27-2021, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stj

and remove camera's and microphones!!!
i always remove them from laptops.

I just choose models that don't have them. They are optional on higher end laptops (dell precisions)....they're standard on cheapass models. I don't remove them unless asked if the unit isn't mine.

**lti** · 08-27-2021, 12:43 PM

I haven't seen a laptop with an optional webcam and microphone.

I still don't understand why so many people are paranoid about the camera and only a few people see the microphone as a security concern.

**stj** · 08-27-2021, 02:51 PM

it may be paranoia with Linux and a NOT UEFI bios,
but with windows it does get abused.

**Th3_uN1Qu3** · 08-29-2021, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lti

I haven't seen a laptop with an optional webcam and microphone.

There's a ton of em. Especially business oriented models like ThinkPads and Latitudes.

**Dan81** · 08-29-2021, 10:41 PM

Also some older Acer Extensas don't have them.

**Per Hansson** · 08-30-2021, 12:26 AM

It is good that Samsung created this announcement so the thieves that stole the TV's get the memo to not connect them to the Internet.

**Dan81** · 08-30-2021, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Per Hansson

It is good that Samsung created this announcement so the thieves that stole the TV's get the memo to not connect them to the Internet.

This kinda sounds like a "Task Failed Successfully" unless Samsung makes them force connect to their own network through any open (as in no security password) WiFi connection

**stj** · 08-30-2021, 03:23 AM

like i said, a lot of the newer stuff can create a mesh network with each other.
and that includes meshing with other brands too!
remember the "internet of shit" aka IOT - well it's here!

**lti** · 08-30-2021, 12:47 PM

Connecting to a random WiFi hotspot without telling the user is also an option. Microsoft already did that in Windows 10 and then quietly removed the "feature." Strangely, not many people had a problem with that (just like people putting tape over their webcam for "privacy" and keeping their microphone active).

**Th3_uN1Qu3** · 08-31-2021, 03:58 AM

Android has been doing that for ages but it's easily disabled. On that note, I wonder why you guys don't tape the cameras and microphones on your cellphones.

**Agent24** · 09-24-2021, 08:25 PM

I never wanted a smart TV and now I want one even less.

It's fine, you can get regular TVs for free when other people "upgrade" haha

08-26-2021, 11:44 AM	#22
stj Great Sage 齊天大聖 Join Date: Dec 2009 City & State: Europe My Country: some shithole run by Israeli agents I'm a: Professional Tech Posts: 25,389	Re: never trust samsung rip the modules with a bios editor - computrace is malware that inserts files into the o.s. incidentally, leaving a smart tv offline may not work. i read that a lot of the newer ones also have BLE bluetooth and can create their own fucking mesh-network!!!

08-26-2021, 01:28 PM	#23
TechGeek Computer Geek Join Date: Jan 2015 City & State: Nowhereland, Texas My Country: USA Line Voltage: 120/2/[email protected] I'm a: Hardcore Geek Posts: 1,884	Re: never trust samsung I've got a Panasonic 65" plasma TV from 2011. I'm using it until it irreparably fails, which will likely be a panel failure or loss of unobtainium parts. If I ever get a smart TV, it's getting the wireless hardware ripped out of it (or at least having its antennas disconnected and terminators connected in place of them) and it's going on a hardwired power switch. __________________ Don't buy those $10 PSU "specials". They fail, and they have taken whole computers with them. My computer doubles as a space heater. Windows 10? Only if you like forced, buggy updates and 24/7 telemetry. Samsung = Seagate = Seatrash = Trashgate Don't buy Seagate drives. Don't use Seagate drives. If you have any in service right now, make plans to replace them ASAP. SMR = Slow Magnetic Recording Avoid SMR, buy CMR drives instead. SMR is easily a 15+ year step BACKWARDS in HDD speed. Permanently Retired Systems: RIP Advantech UNO-3072LA (2008-2021) - Decommissioned and taken out of service permanently due to lack of software support for it. Not very likely to ever be recommissioned again.

08-26-2021, 10:17 PM	#25
Dan81 SNES-powered Join Date: Oct 2013 City & State: Romania My Country: Bacau Line Voltage: 230VAC 50Hz I'm a: Hobbyist Tech Posts: 1,347	Re: never trust samsung I am suggesting removing both LAN and WLAN chips with hot air. Anything that poses as a means of internet conectivity must be exterminated when it comes to those "Smart" TVs. __________________ Main rig: Gigabyte B75M-D3H Core i5-3470 3.60GHz Gigabyte Geforce GTX650 1GB GDDR5 16GB DDR3-1600 Samsung SH-224AB DVD-RW FSP Bluestorm II 500W (recapped) 120GB ADATA + 2x Seagate Barracuda ES.2 ST31000340NS 1TB Delux MG760 case

08-27-2021, 03:27 AM	#26
stj Great Sage 齊天大聖 Join Date: Dec 2009 City & State: Europe My Country: some shithole run by Israeli agents I'm a: Professional Tech Posts: 25,389	Re: never trust samsung and remove camera's and microphones!!! i always remove them from laptops.

08-27-2021, 12:43 PM	#28
lti Badcaps Veteran Join Date: May 2011 City & State: Windsor, Colorado My Country: United States I'm a: Hobbyist Tech Posts: 2,163	Re: never trust samsung I haven't seen a laptop with an optional webcam and microphone. I still don't understand why so many people are paranoid about the camera and only a few people see the microphone as a security concern.

08-27-2021, 02:51 PM	#29
stj Great Sage 齊天大聖 Join Date: Dec 2009 City & State: Europe My Country: some shithole run by Israeli agents I'm a: Professional Tech Posts: 25,389	Re: never trust samsung it may be paranoia with Linux and a NOT UEFI bios, but with windows it does get abused.

08-29-2021, 10:41 PM	#31
Dan81 SNES-powered Join Date: Oct 2013 City & State: Romania My Country: Bacau Line Voltage: 230VAC 50Hz I'm a: Hobbyist Tech Posts: 1,347	Re: never trust samsung Also some older Acer Extensas don't have them.

08-30-2021, 12:26 AM	#32
Per Hansson Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 City & State: ---- My Country: Sweden Line Voltage: 230v 50Hz I'm a: Knowledge Seeker Posts: 4,842	Re: never trust samsung It is good that Samsung created this announcement so the thieves that stole the TV's get the memo to not connect them to the Internet. __________________ "The one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it."

08-30-2021, 03:23 AM	#34
stj Great Sage 齊天大聖 Join Date: Dec 2009 City & State: Europe My Country: some shithole run by Israeli agents I'm a: Professional Tech Posts: 25,389	Re: never trust samsung like i said, a lot of the newer stuff can create a mesh network with each other. and that includes meshing with other brands too! remember the "internet of shit" aka IOT - well it's here!

08-30-2021, 12:47 PM	#35
lti Badcaps Veteran Join Date: May 2011 City & State: Windsor, Colorado My Country: United States I'm a: Hobbyist Tech Posts: 2,163	Re: never trust samsung Connecting to a random WiFi hotspot without telling the user is also an option. Microsoft already did that in Windows 10 and then quietly removed the "feature." Strangely, not many people had a problem with that (just like people putting tape over their webcam for "privacy" and keeping their microphone active).

08-31-2021, 03:58 AM	#36
Th3_uN1Qu3 Believe in Join Date: Jul 2010 City & State: Bucharest My Country: Romania Line Voltage: 230VAC 50Hz I'm a: Professional Tech Posts: 5,563	Re: never trust samsung Android has been doing that for ages but it's easily disabled. On that note, I wonder why you guys don't tape the cameras and microphones on your cellphones.

09-24-2021, 08:25 PM	#37
Agent24 I see dead caps Join Date: Oct 2007 City & State: Hiding inside a plated-through hole My Country: New Zealand Line Voltage: 230VAC 50Hz I'm a: Hobbyist Tech Posts: 4,688	Re: never trust samsung I never wanted a smart TV and now I want one even less. It's fine, you can get regular TVs for free when other people "upgrade" haha __________________ "Tantalum for the brave, Solid Aluminium for the wise, Wet Electrolytic for the adventurous" -David VanHorn

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