4 ms·

i hope the author is not going to use this panel as-is because it send everything in clear. i would keep the front panel but retrofit a microcontroller in there

by zxcvgm 11y ago

i hope the author is not going to use this panel as-is because it send everything in clear. i would keep the front panel but retrofit a microcontroller in there to encrypt keypresses before it is sent.

roel_v 11y ago
Technically you're right, but this is a problem that comes up a lot in wireless home automation. Thing is, what is the attack vector you want to protect against? How many burglars are going to be sitting outside your house (I'm imagining: in a black van with 'Bob's plumbing' written on the outside) analyzing RF patterns when someone comes in, reverse engineer it, then burglarize you home? My estimate is 0, even when not weighed against the alternative: if someone really thinks your house is so interesting so as to warrant several hours of waiting/observation, they'll just put a knife to your wife's throat and say 'turn off the alarm and show us the valuables'. The vast majority of garage door openers out there use unencoded RF tech, and it's very seldom a problem. And the other side: there was a recent string of thefts of BMW and VW cars in my area. Reason? They had an inside man at the main office who slipped them copies of the remotes. The tech is very, very rarely the weak link.
- mkesper 11y ago
  Except for the keyless car openers. A simple amplifying transceiver seems to be enough to let your car be stolen. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9381792 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9381792
- calgoo 11y ago
  "And the other side: there was a recent string of thefts of BMW and VW cars in my area. Reason? They had an inside man at the main office who slipped them copies of the remotes." Why does this sound like Gone in 60 Seconds :)
- Vexs 11y ago
  Occam's razor. Burglars using fairly technical methods of ingress, or stealing keys?
- iNate2000 11y ago
  But if everything uses similar protocols, then it won't be long before someone releases a tool making it easier than smashing windows.

by zxcvgm 11y ago

roel_v 11y ago

Technically you're right, but this is a problem that comes up a lot in wireless home automation. Thing is, what is the attack vector you want to protect against? How many burglars are going to be sitting outside your house (I'm imagining: in a black van with 'Bob's plumbing' written on the outside) analyzing RF patterns when someone comes in, reverse engineer it, then burglarize you home? My estimate is 0, even when not weighed against the alternative: if someone really thinks your house is so interesting so as to warrant several hours of waiting/observation, they'll just put a knife to your wife's throat and say 'turn off the alarm and show us the valuables'. The vast majority of garage door openers out there use unencoded RF tech, and it's very seldom a problem. And the other side: there was a recent string of thefts of BMW and VW cars in my area. Reason? They had an inside man at the main office who slipped them copies of the remotes. The tech is very, very rarely the weak link.

mkesper 11y ago
Except for the keyless car openers. A simple amplifying transceiver seems to be enough to let your car be stolen. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9381792 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9381792
calgoo 11y ago
"And the other side: there was a recent string of thefts of BMW and VW cars in my area. Reason? They had an inside man at the main office who slipped them copies of the remotes." Why does this sound like Gone in 60 Seconds :)
Vexs 11y ago
Occam's razor. Burglars using fairly technical methods of ingress, or stealing keys?
iNate2000 11y ago
But if everything uses similar protocols, then it won't be long before someone releases a tool making it easier than smashing windows.