this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2024
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Replacing a dishwasher. Most of the mid-range options now come with fucking Wi-Fi. Found a model I liked, no info in manual and support from Samsung was of course, useless since it wasn't already in the manual and wanted to keep talking about their exciting "smart things" app. gag.

I saw a youtube video of a guy disconnecting wifi cable on a fridge. I'm fine doing that if I have to open up the board but it'll probably be smaller than the fridge and who knows if it'll be helpfully labled like the one in the video was. Internet searching showed me there may be oven keypress combinations to turn wi-fi radio on/off. Anyone have anything similar/advice for Samsung appliances, specifically dishwashers?

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[–] [email protected] 42 points 2 months ago (3 children)

If you don’t hook it up to your network, what’s the problem?

[–] MrQuallzin 43 points 2 months ago (29 children)

It may try to connect to open wifi networks instead, maybe

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Honestly asking; Why would I care if my dishwasher connected to some random Wi-Fi. What does it know about me? Someone gonna hack it?

[–] [email protected] 45 points 2 months ago (6 children)

There have been instances of network-enabled devices updating to put existing features behind a paywall, unilaterally changing the terms of service (can't use device anymore until you agree to new terms), and simply removing features that you paid for when you bought the device.

Why does a dishwasher need wifi?

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 months ago (1 children)

So you can get an alert when the dishes are done.

Not justifying the feature itself, but there is a purpose.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago

Mine just plays a jingle lol

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[–] pdxfed 11 points 2 months ago

If you're asking in earnest, the last decade has shown for profit corps know no bounds in using technology to extract, poorly protect, and often aggregate and then will make any attempt to monetize possible--often retroactively. While a dishwasher might not have much data in itself to exploit, if your internet connected TV, Car or phone which is constantly scanning for nearby WI-FI items or networks decided to start cataloguing them...well then that would just be a Tuesday for Google, Ford or Sony right?

The more data points, the worse. More breaches, more creepy facts about us floating around in some creepy company or regime's stockpile of data to be used, unilaterally against me. Or maybe the next company to buy the current company I'm happy with. Or the next regime that decides people like me aren't full humans. Between your computer and phone, most people's lives are somewhat laid bare, but add in car tracking which auto companies have stuck their funnel into during the last 5 years, add in appliances, put Wi-Fi if your shower handle...again the people adding Wi-Fi to things like a dishwasher that don't need it have only one thing to gain, monetizing your data and selling it to someone who wants to control you in some way.

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[–] [email protected] 33 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (5 children)

I had to buy a washing machine recently. I asked if I could get one without the smart features (this was a half joke thinking there was no shot in hell, but at least I got to express disinterest). They looked in the back to find that they did have the previous model. They said it was basically the same but without the smart features—then they said it would still be under the same warranty & would cost me $150 less. I got real lucky that day—& the fact that I need a new TV has caused me dread knowing you basically can’t find ’em anymore.

[–] BritishJ 5 points 2 months ago

Literally the same, just bought a new washing machine. Most are now smart enabled. I don't get it at all.. Like why does a washing machine need to be on the internet at all.

You're washing is done... Yeah I know I can no longer hear it.

Start it later, there is a delay mode.

I physically have to be in front of the washer to load it. Why would I then use an app.

We paid a premium for one without Wi-Fi

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

Sceptre has Non smart TVs. May be the only ones left to be honest

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Don't connect the TV to the internet. Buy a settop box like a shield TV and stream through that.

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[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Don't connect it to anything.

[–] mdurell 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Not even power and water supplies?

[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 months ago

Another (less good) option might be connecting it to a dummy wi-fi that goes nowhere.

[–] dohpaz42 19 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I have a smart tv, washer, and dryer. None of them are connected to a network. They can’t do anything “smart” without a network. You don’t need to take apart or disconnect anything. In fact, doing so could cause problems if you nick the wrong wire or component.

Just leave it be and you should be fine.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Even owning Smart devices and having them always plugged in may potentially be a vector, Rob did a good breakdown on how this is achieved.

https://odysee.com/@RobBraxmanTech:6/radio:64

Did you know that your IOT devices are secretly communicating with each other? This includes IOT devices that are not in your home. Did you know that what your IOT devices do may be transmitted to third parties? Did you know that your TV may also have the capability and may currently be transmitting your activity far and wide?

There are secret communications occurring between IOT devices using protocols like Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, Thread, 802.15, and LoRa that you likely didn't expect or was not explained when you bought these devices.

Just like Amazon Echo has been conscripted to work with the Amazon Sidewalk Mesh network, other networks are in operation

[–] dohpaz42 4 points 2 months ago

Good point. I did not consider this. Thank you.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

If I did that half my neighbors would own my devices in a week because they like transmitting open access points for setup purposes. I just connect them anyway and then just block them from outbound access at the router if I want to restrict them. That way I can be sure. Then I can use my Homeassistant server to control them from behind the firewall locally if they have that capability.

[–] dohpaz42 6 points 2 months ago

You make a terrifyingly interesting point. I did not consider this. Thank you.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 months ago (7 children)

Your easiest solution is to just not connect it to your network.

If you want to really lock it out, depending on your router you can use the firewall to drop any packets to and from the device's IP.

[–] [email protected] 31 points 2 months ago (1 children)

For a lot of devices that will leave an unsecured wifi network on that will

  • allow any passerby to just set it up under their account and potentially mess with it
  • use up valuable WiFi channels you might want to use for your own network
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[–] [email protected] 15 points 2 months ago

Don't worry, OP. Samsung makes absolute dog shit appliances, so you'll be replacing that dishwasher sometime in the next 2 years anyways.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

model #? You can usually find enough info from the FCC id, which often has pictures of insides, especially radio stuff like.

Edit: nvm, I had missed the Costco link. I'll see if I can find anything.

[–] pdxfed 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Thank you, the FCC filing is a good idea, if you find something useful that would be great.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

I couldn't find it using the model number on fccid.io but it might be that the dishwashers themselves aren't FCC certified and they only send whatever wireless board they add to it.
Usually can find anything that has radio signals with teardown pics, etc.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 months ago

It's funny a good open source washing machine with wifi could be amazing, would allow for so much more control by letting you modify programs and view diagnostics but proprietary hardware is never going to let you do the good stuff because the you wouldn't need to buy the more expensive but physically almost identical models.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Disable it on the router. That way if you’re lucky it thinks it’s connected and so won’t constantly bother you about it.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Why do you care if it has wifi if it's not connected to a network?

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Mine had an off button (key combo). Check the manual of the model before purchase. Never had to give it another thought.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

commenting for tracking. I've been searching for the same.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

Seems a little over the top. The AP will consume additional power. Just restricting Internet access via router should be way easier.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

If you can find where the antenna is, you can cover it with some metal tape to kill the signal. Or wrap the whole thing on a metal cage or foil, basically put the thing in a faraday cage.

I have a feeling they'd put the antenna in the front panel though, so that solution may not be super aesthethic if that's the case.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

buy a used washer without wifi

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