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submitted 4 weeks ago* (last edited 4 weeks ago) by xkcdbot@lemmy.world to c/xkcd@lemmy.world

xkcd #3109: Dehumidifier

Title text:

It's important for devices to have internet connectivity so the manufacturer can patch remote exploits.

Transcript:

[A store salesman, Hairy, is showing Cueball a dehumidifier, with a "SALE" label on it. Several other unidentified devices, possibly other dehumidifier models, are shown in the store as well.]

Salesman: This dehumidifier model features built-in WiFi for remote updates.
Cueball: Great! That will be really useful if they discover a new kind of water.

Source: https://xkcd.com/3109/

explainxkcd for #3109

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[-] originalucifer@moist.catsweat.com 1 points 4 weeks ago

im not sure why all these people jumped from 'wifi' to 'internet' as if they were the same thing. no one should be exposing their automation devices directly to the interwebs

[-] dfyx@lemmy.helios42.de 1 points 4 weeks ago

Sadly, many wifi-enabled devices only work with some proprietary cloud-service and even if not, they're only one configuration error (or intentional backdoor) away from talking to the outside. Better have something that isn't physically able to talk to the internet no matter how badly I fuck up its configuration and my firewall.

this post was submitted on 30 Jun 2025
227 points (98.3% liked)

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