Setting aside the utter fecklessness if not outright perniciousness of cybersecurity products such as this, I hope this incident (re-)triggers a discussion of our increasing dependence on computing technology in our lives, its utter inescapability, and our ever-growing inability to function without it in modern society.
Not everything needs to be done through a computer, and we are seeing the effects now of organizing our systems such that the only way to interface with them is through a digital device or a smartphone, with no alternative. Such are the consequences of moving everything "into the cloud" and onto digital devices as a result of easy monetary policy and the concomitant digital gold rush where everyone and their dog scrambled to turn everything into a smartphone app.
This past week I purchased a thermostat. There were "high-end" touch only models, models that were app-assisted also with analog controls, and then finally old school analog only. I went with the middle / combo so that I have analog as a call back if the pure tech mode fails.
Being prepared can cost more and/or be less flashy (read: I didn't get touch-only) but it's only peace of mind, at least for critical components. I want a thermostat that works, I don't get no satisfaction from any bragging rights. Nod to the Rolling Stones.
I literally dealt with this just a few hours ago. I need a new HVAC system. I wanted the high-end model, but it will only work with their fancy cloud-connected thermostat. You cannot replace it with an off-the-shelf thermostat.
Have home automation? Sorry, you'll have to use the Internet.
I vote with my dollars, so it cost them the higher-margin sale. I also went with the mid-tier system, and grabbed a Z-Wave compatible thermostat along with it. I wonder if I'll miss the nifty variable-speed system?
I really wish everyone would stop trying to trap us into their walled gardens. Apple at least lets people write software for theirs, but the hardware/appliance manufacturers (not to mention the automotive folks) are awful about this.
Not everything needs to be done through a computer, and we are seeing the effects now of organizing our systems such that the only way to interface with them is through a digital device or a smartphone, with no alternative. Such are the consequences of moving everything "into the cloud" and onto digital devices as a result of easy monetary policy and the concomitant digital gold rush where everyone and their dog scrambled to turn everything into a smartphone app.