Vehicle Security: Master Thread (Index Thread) (2 Viewers)

[Somebodyelse5]

Here's a new wrinkle. And they're doing the same with Wi-Fi devices. Something to consider when installing enabled devices you can't shield or turn off or take with you:

Livermore (CA) PD just tweeted out that "thieves are using Bluetooth technology/signals to track down electronics left inside of cars even if they’re hidden... If you have to leave your laptop or smartphone in a vehicle, turn off all electronics completely because even in “sleep” mode, thieves can find it."

They use apps designed to find lost Bluetooth devices. Or they just try to connect to nearby Bluetooth devices--and there's yours.

And here's a clip of some lower-tech thieves in San Francisco (of course). Notice they tend to be focusing on SUVs. One of the vehicles has someone inside it when the window is busted and the bag stolen...

MSN

it's socially acceptable to steel in California. You shouldn't be locking your doors anyways.

 

[jaymar]

Is he checking the doors before breaking the windows? I didn't notice. And, sorry, did you say it's socialist acceptable?

 

[Dave 2000]

Here's a new wrinkle. And they're doing the same with Wi-Fi devices. Something to consider when installing enabled devices you can't shield or turn off or take with you:

Livermore (CA) PD just tweeted out that "thieves are using Bluetooth technology/signals to track down electronics left inside of cars even if they’re hidden... If you have to leave your laptop or smartphone in a vehicle, turn off all electronics completely because even in “sleep” mode, thieves can find it."

They use apps designed to find lost Bluetooth devices. Or they just try to connect to nearby Bluetooth devices--and there's yours.

Some years back I purchased a BLUE SOLAR charge controller, I also purchased the Bluetooth attachment, the idea being that I could check the charge rate at any time without visiting the 80, as it is kept in the garage a fair amount I have a solar panel on the garage roof, it was a good precaution against flat batteries. One day after quite some period of time using the product I tried to connect to the charge controller via my mobile phone but no joy. BLUE SOLAR altered the app on my mobile so I MUST have LOCATION switched on for it to work!! Up to that point I had fitted around 12 - 14 of these units and a couple of large house based units after having advised how good they are. I contacted BLUE SOLAR after finding about needing LOCATION switched on, and I got a reply full of 'faff', or known to most as a load of bol*ocks! At that time I could not switch off the facility, as of this date I am unsure if that has been changed because I don't want anyone knowing where my 80 lives so I don't use it. What I do know is that I now steer customers away from their products, has this cost BLUE SOLAR any revenue, from my viewpoint ABSOLUTELY, and of course people talk...and there are of course public forums such as this.

If and I mean if, I had been advised that they would 'prefer' I switched on LOCATION so it could be used as a marketing tool to target weaker areas of sales, allowing them to strengthen and target their advertising in the relevant areas, I would do it and why? Because I had a CHOICE, it was not being forced on me and was not covertly 'slipped in' to the app 'upgrade'. Later versions probably have some geo location 'stuff' that don't need the app, so would I purchase another product from BLUE SOLAR....or any other company they are associated with no. They would have more chance of burning their crafty arses on a snowball!

To add a little balance to this criticism, the actual charge controller does work well and is reliable, you pay your money and take YOUR CHOICE!

Regards

Dave

 

[jaymar]

Anything I can get wired instead of wireless, I will. Reasons: 1) Security. 2) Wireless signals are absolutely inferior to wired (just ask any gamer or audiophile). 3) Why participate in the mass health experiment of having these signals sent through your body for hours on end, inside a small metal cage? 99% of this stuff is ridiculous, unnecessary, and expensive. Plus, with a lot of it, if you lose the remote, you're screwed; there are no controls on the device itself. And, here's something creepy: there are devices that pick up Wi-Fi signals coming through walls--and display the positions and movements of the people on the other side as their bodies interfere with the signal.