tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post9117851222832107907..comments2023-09-28T13:28:52.243+01:00Comments on Raedwald: The new Corporate slavery - escaping captureRaedwaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11699610899843349594noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-57727896246275363192017-01-11T14:05:44.557+00:002017-01-11T14:05:44.557+00:00My technical & professional training in scienc...My technical & professional training in science & engineering tells me from experience to .... ...<br />DON'T GO NEAR the "Internet of things" - far too easy to corrupt & malhandle.<br />If they do succeed in installing any "smart meters" in my home ( & I will be resisting), I will immediately, as soon as they have gone, install a grounded Faraday cage around said meter, which will fuck the signals, so there ....G. Tingeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09640068810654977205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-26375052763350763682017-01-09T12:45:06.852+00:002017-01-09T12:45:06.852+00:00Smart meters are hackable and you do not have to h...Smart meters are hackable and you do not have to have one - refuse.<br />There are no benefits - the so called "savings" trumpeted have quietly been reduced massively to near zero, that is before we look at the £11bn for rollout which consumers have to pay.<br />http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/03/30/smart_meters_costly_mistake_add_billions_to_energy_bills/<br /><br />That is before we look at the issues<br />http://stopsmartmeters.org.uk/<br /><br />The IoT is a buizzword and a set of low value functional additions that are easily hacked - most IT press is expecting larege issues to arrive as most IoT devices are vunerable - there is an attempt to retrofit security at the network level.<br /><br />As with all things - who benefits? viscnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-25130170010842626242017-01-08T22:01:06.579+00:002017-01-08T22:01:06.579+00:00Other than the smart meter I'm comfortable wit...Other than the smart meter I'm comfortable with everything you mentioned.I'll let you know how it works out for me.Thudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18320037763190473684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-81578464485392789042017-01-08T13:32:27.068+00:002017-01-08T13:32:27.068+00:00Another corporation which is essential to avoid is...Another corporation which is essential to avoid is the BBC. Once you are weened off the BBC world view it becomes very easy to spot those who, apparently unknowingly, spout its propaganda.Budgienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-35986981953959272322017-01-08T11:01:08.705+00:002017-01-08T11:01:08.705+00:00If we hurry up and build enough nuclear power stat...If we hurry up and build enough nuclear power stations, there will be no need for energy savings. <br /><br />As for "smart" -- it just means "hackable". I would prefer not to have my electricity switched off by some clever teenager.<br /><br />Don CoxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-85135323252458633762017-01-08T09:04:26.601+00:002017-01-08T09:04:26.601+00:00The national drive to get everyone onto smart mete...The national drive to get everyone onto smart meters - ostensibly to allow energy savings - may allow price discrimination instead. <br /><br />This is the one I'm looking at in particular.James Highamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14525082702330365464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-10674358385098788412017-01-08T08:51:26.588+00:002017-01-08T08:51:26.588+00:00When the supply of electricity becomes like that o...When the supply of electricity becomes like that of the third world and many people start resorting to generators at home I think we can expect these items to be banned.<br /><br />However, it may not get as bad as this, as I believe that it will only take a few outages of electricity for the population as a whole to throw out the "green" politicians and insist upon the return of sufficient fossil fuel generators to keep the lights on.<br /><br />The population are only "green" as long as it does not affect them.<br />John Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01368536835090304923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-26729317214661007632017-01-08T08:00:26.277+00:002017-01-08T08:00:26.277+00:00Having recently moved to the SW, I switched the ex...Having recently moved to the SW, I switched the existing storage heating for gas central heating. I asked the electric company to change the existing dual tariff (cheap overnight rate) meter for a single tariff one and they refused. It's either a smart meter or keep the existing one. I kept the existing one.<br /><br />I've always thought that car leases are a trap, I'd never go down that route but I fear my son who currently has a company car, mortgage and very little savings, would choose it if he lost the company car.<br /><br />It's the younger generation who will get trapped by most of the "scams" Raedwald lists. They're tech-savvy, but image-obsessed and naive.DeeDee99https://www.blogger.com/profile/06753473473887381622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-40218313240033945402017-01-08T06:40:42.815+00:002017-01-08T06:40:42.815+00:00Our water bill is now halved with a meter installe...Our water bill is now halved with a meter installed.<br /><br />Rateable value of a three bed house meant much more spent on stuff we never used!<br /><br />I sometimes worry about my Gmail account though, and then usually I don't...Scrobs.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12942449871600526680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-24122600135479209662017-01-07T23:49:55.770+00:002017-01-07T23:49:55.770+00:00I am suspicious of anything with the word 'sma...I am suspicious of anything with the word 'smart'in it. It is rarely smart in the way you think and is generally to benefit someone else not you. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-55562913967129935762017-01-07T22:34:20.808+00:002017-01-07T22:34:20.808+00:00I am a little anal-retentive about data - I still ...I am a little anal-retentive about data - I still have emails from 1996 (how sad is that?).<br />I back up to a NAS drive but I have heard that ransomware can attack that too.<br />I of course have a good anti-virus loaded and occasionally boot from a stand-alone anti-virus CD (Kasperski or AVG) which can check for nasties in the boot sector etc.<br />I add one further layer of back-up which I think could reduce the threat of ransom-ware.<br />I dual boot my desktop with a separate hard drive with Linux (Currently Mint18) In Linux I read and back up my data to the Linux hard drive. <br />As to Google / cloud etc I accept the drawbacks for the convenience, knowing I can go slightly 'dark' when searching for news items which might trigger attention. TANSTAFL and caveat emptor are universal. auralayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15141944035597424072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-8534901511478085292017-01-07T21:46:08.803+00:002017-01-07T21:46:08.803+00:00Slowly closing trap it is indeed, one jaw being co...Slowly closing trap it is indeed, one jaw being corporate the other being government with regulation attempting to replace common sense and experience. Makes one wonder what it will be like 50 or even 25 years from now, God help them.Racnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-6629009255171142482017-01-07T18:55:53.713+00:002017-01-07T18:55:53.713+00:00Dave_G 13:57. Yes, tracking from a car black-box G...Dave_G 13:57. Yes, tracking from a car black-box GPS could doubtless be blocked but, unfortunately, insurance companies tend to have the upper hand, and policies are likely to be invalidated if one's mandated tracking device is blocked. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-79998136189936643492017-01-07T16:55:06.591+00:002017-01-07T16:55:06.591+00:00I have formed a strong suspicion about a functiona...I have formed a strong suspicion about a functionally excellent printer I bought some time ago. It came with a CD-based driver and some neat capabilities, including the ability to create PDFs from scanned docs. However, after a couple of years it fell into conversation with the mother-ship, and this (free) PDF function was disabled, although I was invited to sign up to a pay-for Adobe service to continue using the feature.<br /><br />Haha. I still have the CD driver, which I loaded onto an old laptop which I have ceased using in online mode. The original functionality, as installed in this offline machine, cannot be switched off by the OM; and using this machine I can access the PDF feature. <br /><br />When the printer-as-installed on this latter machine realises it cannot talk to the mother ship it complains bitterly and begs to be connected. Tough!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-79441723297046546872017-01-07T14:29:00.655+00:002017-01-07T14:29:00.655+00:00As with most comments I am well on the way to not ...As with most comments I am well on the way to not having any of those things. Also use FB a little, had a big Brexit binge.<br /><br />Interesting today (for the first time although it could have been around for ages) I heard a radio ad giving out a number in case of power cuts - 115 or something - seems the expected crumbling is about to start. Span Owshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10144861546996033462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-78398712882712472502017-01-07T14:27:11.856+00:002017-01-07T14:27:11.856+00:00I kept getting phone calls from a company "ac...I kept getting phone calls from a company "acting for SSE" who say that my meter is old and needs replacement. Its not that old and I don't want it replaced by a smart meter. Each time, I've told them I won't have anyone in my home without a proper letter from SSE through the post explaining who they are and what's to be done. They promise to write, but it's never happened. And the old meter remains. And, touch wood, the calls have stopped.<br /><br />As for using the cloud, you've got no idea where your data is stored, nor how secure it is. Backup drives are coming down in price all the time, I got a 4TB drive for under £100. Only switch it on when doing backups, switch it of at all other times so you can't get caught by one of these cyber-crooks who encrypt your data and blackmail you for the key.English Pensionerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15271488641341955140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-70558965403577313212017-01-07T13:57:27.086+00:002017-01-07T13:57:27.086+00:00Anon 11:32 - opt out? Perhaps not but local '...<br />Anon 11:32 - opt out? Perhaps not but local 'blocking' devices exist (I know how to build them too) so if you really don't want to be tracked by GPS then you don't need to be - of course the already-abundant CCTV cameras make GPS tracking somewhat redundant.<br /><br />I recently made a specific requests (demand) to NOT have a Smart Meter installed and will be THE most difficult client to find/property to enter if they legislate for them. I also have TWO generators!<br /><br />Anti-cloud usage has always been my stance but maybe this is the approach by people 'of a certain age' who remember what freedom really was?? Far too often it is the young and gullible that consider such technological progress as beneficial rather than intrusive.<br /><br />I'm all for technological advance but at the behest of the user, not legislation, the Government or Corporates.Dave_Gnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-91570432510172444602017-01-07T13:14:23.465+00:002017-01-07T13:14:23.465+00:00We are becoming prisoners in our own homes, assumi...We are becoming prisoners in our own homes, assuming the small print does not have a lien on this as well. You do not mention which corporate entities. May I open the bidding with Virgin?Demetriushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17198549581667363991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-34365654791363585712017-01-07T11:32:54.917+00:002017-01-07T11:32:54.917+00:00That's a timely warning to those who may not q...That's a timely warning to those who may not quite understand the gradually closing traps. Happily, as a wary (and I hope, wise) 70-year-old, I have avoided all five. Neither do I have a smart phone, since I don't want to be tracked everywhere. However, one dark, menacing cloud on the horizon is the installation of 'black-box' tracking devices fitted to all new cars, apparently mandated through EU legislation. This has profound implications for privacy and it will be impossible to opt-out. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-60699077377890317622017-01-07T11:32:30.776+00:002017-01-07T11:32:30.776+00:00The M-disc archival DVDs/Blu-Rays are another good...The M-disc archival DVDs/Blu-Rays are another good way to back stuff up, at least if you don't have vast quantities.<br /><br />More expensive than ordinary recordable discs, but worth it.<br /><br />I already follow most of your advice. <br /><br /><br />Don CoxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-41488603763435724982017-01-07T11:04:13.994+00:002017-01-07T11:04:13.994+00:00Raedwald; "second hand car "
Spot on. G...<br />Raedwald; "second hand car "<br /><br />Spot on. Got the wife a pre registered but otherwise new vehicle a couple of years back. <br /><br /><br />Smart meters: no real reason but for load management purposes. Don't need one, won't get one, if I can avoid it.<br /><br />Barnacle Bill: " Their parting words when they left was to get a portable generator."<br /><br />Bingo!<br /><br />Raedwald: ".. Cloud .."<br /><br />An excellent way to compromise your data security for anything but the most mundane information.<br /><br />Everybody at the cloud company has access to anything you put into a commercial cloud. The information is in transit across the internet and unless encrypted is vulnerable to snooping - (Hi GCHQ - they've practically admitted everything going across the internet is recorded ) No company should be using a commercial cloud for commercial business purposes.<br /><br />Facebook, I am trying to wean myself off it, but did enjoy bating all the 'never Trumpers', the 'Remainers' and the 'Scottish independence' people in 2016.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-11097065914040775542017-01-07T10:36:42.870+00:002017-01-07T10:36:42.870+00:00Concur.
I have a very reliable 15yr old 4x4
I will...Concur.<br />I have a very reliable 15yr old 4x4<br />I will be fighting to the last second against have a smart meter - natch<br />I have nothing in the cloud (and I work in IT) I abide by the simple maxim in IT that if I don't own it, none of my data goes on it. Backup using varying methods, but all the really important stuff is on external HDD.<br />Don't use Amazon/Spotify/Facebook or Twitter. I only use weather apps on my phone and switch it off when I don't need it (most weekends)<br /><br />All this on the basis that I don't trust the ba$tards farther than I can throw them.rapscallionnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-15257572261463309592017-01-07T09:22:10.257+00:002017-01-07T09:22:10.257+00:00No mortgage, no car loan and everything backed up ...No mortgage, no car loan and everything backed up on external HDs here Radders.<br /><br />But I do agree with your thoughts on electricity and smart meters. The relatively small estate I live on has seen a push by all the main electric suppliers to get us all on to smart meters.<br /><br />Something I have resisted despite frequent doorstepping to tell me all the advantages of such a <i>smart</i> move.<br /><br />The recent tennants next door were contractors working at our local power station. Now closed down. Their parting words when they left was to get a portable generator. Heeding these words of advice I now have a not exactly portable two cylinder Lister genset in my garden shed. Just waiting for my electrician friend to wire it in properly to my mains supply.barnacle billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17375356036844289964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-31843790424250042152017-01-07T09:15:02.368+00:002017-01-07T09:15:02.368+00:00I wouldn't worry too much about FB. Their mone...I wouldn't worry too much about FB. Their monetisation already amounts to $15 per user per year through ads. I like your thoughts on smart meters though; I always thought they were pointless. Poisonedchalicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877122279794559618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1537213245172078183.post-51192723201623605152017-01-07T08:03:31.727+00:002017-01-07T08:03:31.727+00:00Pay cash for everything you can, never use the tap...Pay cash for everything you can, never use the tap and pay method with your plastic. Bin the Satnav, don't own a smart phone.<br /><br />The consumer, the nation must commence to fight back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com