Scams

I'm with those who don't want, or is it need, to use all these modern ideas. But there is another point. Some months ago, my doctor's surgery which has fancy software to enable one to request repeat prescriptions, modified said software. I won't go into what actually happened as it's documented elsewhere, but I found it interesting that when the software decided it wasn't going to let me play, the alternative, good old fashioned speech via an answering machine, was far, far faster! So much for making it easier!

Howi,

Do we accept the 'benefits' of smart tv's? It isn't that long ago that there was something of a furore when it was discovered that one brand of smart tv, was actually listening all the time. And if it was listening, then what is it sending back home.

Why should we have to give up privacy just to take advantage of something modern?

Nigel,

I too dislike Alexa. I really cannot see what use it is. Unfortunately, my elder son bought us Portal, yet another device with security implications. After all, if it's working, then it's listening. I can see the idea, but I'm not exactly convinced about the necessity of it, although I think it was more for their little girl to use.

At least I can, if I think on, unplug the thing!

Peter G. Shaw

I am too nervous of what's going on that I don't know about, as in spying devices like Alexa. As said by others, its listening and transmitting to goodness knows to whom or where. Security - humf!

Anything new will be considered as, could I make good use of whatever it is, is it any good, does it work or rather, can I get it to do what I want. As an example, I can just about use puters for everyday living but I dont think that I have enough lifetime left to 'waste' struggling to get CNC working. I have more pressing things that I want to get on with and enjoy. Been wanting to visit West Somerset railway for years and kept putting it off but made the effort to go some weeks ago, killing 2 birds with one stone - also get to see and hear the exhaust of 'Lady of Legend' which was running there. That is far more exciting than sitting at home scratching head over CNC or other electronic trickery that I struggle to understand. Having said that, I do so enjoy online banking, the convenience is wonderful. I have complete confidence in my security software and of the bank's security system.

John

I have been asked by my club if I would agree to club putting on an event for the benefit of some other organisation. I used a favourite reason to refuse - ask if it's a scam due to bad spelling, pointing out where in the message. Too bad if genuine messages sent by people with inadequate spelling skills. Getting older and grumpier with todays sloppy ways.

John

Edited By DMB on 24/05/2023 21:19:04

Me too. For one thing, if someone does steal my login credentials and tries to use them from another machine, the bank will detect the new machine and send me email to my own email address to verify. Or by telephone.

For someone perhaps getting access to my machine via wifi .... first that's harder I think than often believed. It can be mitigated by sensible precautions:

- don't broadcast your ssid (most people do broadcast it).

- don't fall for the "range extender" sales carp. In most cases the power of the basic wifi modem or access-point is more than sufficient and can often be reduced from the maximum.

- more of a nuisance but further protection can be had by limiting mac addresses that the modem will connect to.

- for direct infiltration via the internet, make sure you have a decent virus scanner.

You and I can probably never completely protect against threats but we can make it difficult enough for them to try further down the line.

Often, the problem is that the "new, labour saving, wonderful" app is devised by someone who knoews it inside out. That forgets that manybusers are mnot so faniliar, and so have problems.

A system that only functions on Windows 10 is useless to anyone using Windows 7, linux or somethingb else, , let alone those who do not have a computer of any sort..

(We don't require a new ncar buyer to be nfamilar with the cross hatch angle of the bore, or the wall pressure of the p[iston rings of the internal combustion engine; , or the inductance of the motor or frequencty of the PWM, battery chemistry of an elctric car. )

Yes, a fully paid up Luddite, happy ti nuse cash, thous or enen pen and paper.

Having been given a variety of drugs where the side effects were worse than the affliction nthat they were supposed to cure, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" has long been my watchword.

Just 'cos it's new does not necessarilky mean that bit is better; possibly more profitable.

Howard

Hi Peter

there are millions of smart devices all over the world what government/entity has the resources to monitor them?

paranoia is not an excuse noit to use smart devices.

I have googles equivalent of Alexa and it in daily use providing radio reception via internet and providing a rolling display of photos of grandchilkdren and places we have been to.

what is not to like?

As we get older we become grumpier due to the fact we realise our time is shortening, stop grumping and enjoy what time we have left, technology is there to help, dismiss it and you only lose out.

that's my theory anyway