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Is it from the car (weird device showing up under "Network")?

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:02 pm
by PoodlesAgain
I was doing a folder transfer between two Win 10 machines, going well, then I looked up the devices under "Network"
I see the usual suspects, couple of Win laptops, printer, router AND something under "Phones" that reads "HONDA" and "DENSO".

I am suspecting it is perhaps from spouse's Acura (Honda guts, misc. Denso electronics) in the garage, calling home, but it is in no way registered on my router network.
Unfortunately, I did not have the presence of mind to open up the router connection list to see any details about this "thing".

Subject to experimentation: move car out of reach, observe at specific time of day (6 pm).

Anybody here with inside knowledge about cars calling home (they pretty much all do, in some fashion these days, 3-dollar micro modems and such)?

Re: Is it from the car (weird device showing up under "Network")?

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:05 pm
by mickey
Your hardware is plotting against you!
Be careful! :lol:

Re: Is it from the car (weird device showing up under "Network")?

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:24 pm
by BatUtilityBelt
No clue, but your suspicions sound solid - Denso is the OEM for a lot of automotive components. I just hope it is not a sign of the robot uprising. It makes me happy my Vette and Jeep can't do that (too old to have computers).

Re: Is it from the car (weird device showing up under "Network")?

Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:34 pm
by PoodlesAgain
Update/Silly me:
Of course the car has communication feature, the built-in "Acuralink" (roadside assistance, blabla..) which may have been set up by prior owner (ah) to fully featured (huh).

Lots of ways this stuff can be exploited, beyond the factory wanting regular telemetry updates. Network specialists have looked into how these car applications were implemented and "wired" onboard. They were usually failing basic security design principles - like wired straight to main harnesses, no firewall!

Extra: and we know insurance companies can request telemetry, in case of an accident.
Pretty soon, your dentist will want that as well.