2 ms·
In theory the ONT can act like a listening device. They're also often Linux or BSD devices that can get hacked. If you're paranoid, you may want to run an ONT
by jeroenhd 2y ago
In theory the ONT can act like a listening device. They're also often Linux or BSD devices that can get hacked.
If you're paranoid, you may want to run an ONT that you control, just in case. I doubt it's something that matters to a lot of people, but even if it only matters to some, it shouldn't be made impossible for those that want to.
RE: misbehaving hardware: the same is very much true for cable internet and there are plenty of countries where people hook up their own modem without any trouble. If someone wanted to mess with the fiber network they could just disconnect the ONT and shine a laser pointer down there. All off-the-shelf devices are built to just work and follow the necessary standards, because there's nothing to be gained by messing with the PON network like that.
- the_mitsuhiko 2y ago> In theory the ONT can act like a listening device Sure, but so can the other endpoint. Even many AON installations these days are just hidden XPS-PON and similar, you just never see the ONT. (See a lot of ISPs in Switzerland)
- bobmcnamara 2y agoAnd so can all the other endpoints if they're not encrypting downstream traffic
- worewood 2y agoIn the year 2024 it is prudent to think of everything that leaves the premises as potentially listened upon. That's why we've got HTTPS an DoT/DoH so widespread these days
- lxgr 2y agoThere’s still a huge privacy impact if anyone can listen to your traffic (since hostnames are almost always plaintext due to SNI).