Quote:
Originally Posted by John41
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironnan
Note that a new feature called SIDEWALK goes live Jun 8. If you haven't OPTED OUT, Amazon will divert up to 1/40th of your internet for passerbys and neighbors.
To turn off this feature, go to the Alexa App:
Settings
Account Settings
Sidewalk -> Opt out
I am blocked from adding the article link. Just google ALEXA SIDEWALK and look for the ARS Technica article.
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thanks for the heads up.
Could be dangerous if misused to commit a crime by a passerby. Recently lawyer Steve Lehto on his website talked about a guy who spent 14 months in jail for downloading one kiddie porn picture allegedly. Cops search his computer, phone and house and could find nothing. His bail was set too high so he stayed in jail. Finally they discovered his unprotected modem was used by someone in his apartment building. He was released and given a $4,000 bill for boarding at the jail. He lost the first appeal but the Appelate court reversed the lower court. His legal fees will top the $4,000 owed. So much for a speedy trial. |
That issue would highly likely have nothing to do with a "Sidewalk" type of service but would have a LOT to do with his
UNPROTECTED MODEM or hacked or possibly he actually downloaded it but they couldn't prove it BECAUSE his modem was unprotected. Xfinity does a similar thing (by default) by allowing YOUR MODEM to be used by any passerby as a guest hotspot. If you can see "XFINITY" listed in your WiFI available connections that is what that is. A public hotspot (which you are NOT being charged for it's use by others). That too should be disabled:
How to Turn Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot On or Off Using Xfinity xFi or My Account - Xfinity Support
Apple also does a similar thing with their "FIND MY" service by allowing bluetooth connections between abny Apple device just "passing by" your Apple device. That is mostly harmless though.
"Sidewalk" really isn't as big a deal as the press is making of it but disabling it is a good thing.