22 January 2024

Don't Connect Your Washing Machine to the Internet

Better yet, don't BUY a washing machine that wants to connect to your WiFi. Mystery surrounds the LG washing machine hogging 3.6GB of data per day

“WTF! Why is my LG Washing Machine using 3.6GB of data/day?” This was an X user’s reaction after discovering the obscure behavior of his appliance.

This behavior indicates that the machine is either broken, and it is in an endless "update to the current version" loop, or it has been compromised and is part of a Botnet doing God knows what. The guy who wrote the story suggested that it was mining Bitcoin. Who can say?

LG hasn't been much use, but then why would they? If they have a bunch of dumb appliances that are pretending to be smart appliances that can no longer update themselves, then they might have a bit of a problem. PR problem anyway.

The guy in question blocked it on his router, because changing the WiFi password, and no updating the washing machine was not an option. Or something. "Change my WiFi password? But it is cute and I like it." Or something.

Don't buy Internet of the Things crap. When the washing machines can put the load in the dryer, and then fold the clothes when they're dry, I MIGHT consider putting the washing machine on the internet, but probably not.

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