Ask HN: Why modern computers and “smart” devices are so not safe?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30220168

by eimrine • 4 years ago

11 6 4 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I have noticed that having a computer becomes kind of mandatory for every person, as having a phone number has become. I am not talking about PC with Linux where I feel safe and no need to stick a webcam with a piece of tape. I am talking about smartphone where I feel a need to have some different smartphones for every different app, in order to kind of not letting my bank to know whan I'm watching on my tiktok.

Is there any movements to make citizen's smartphones safe for owner from Google or Apple despite using some apps from their application stores? Are there any cars w/o proprietary software except of some cars w/o computers? How does that happened?

clircle• 4 years ago

You seem to be conflating safety and privacy

benttoothpaste• 4 years ago

It is partly a cultural problem. For whatever reason, malware-like behavior became normalized and expected in proprietary software. So in addition to providing “useful” functionality the software often has hidden “dark” side, like tracking/stealing information, telemetry, etc. Such behavior used to be reputation destroying in the past but it is expected today.

Some operating systems try to limit the amount of such malware-like things software can do while still allowing the useful functionality. Currently iOS seems to be the best popular option to run proprietary “apps” due to its easy to use permission model and good defaults.

mikewarot• 4 years ago

I just got a smartphone, after putting it off for decades. I've pared it down so that it only does 2 things in the background... take phone calls, and SMS. I've turned off all other notifications.

I bought it in the first place to do 2fa, which works.

I don't use it any more than I do my old dumb phone.

Why would you do anything other than take calls or texts on a phone?

As for desktops/laptops, there are no safe operating systems suitable for use on the internet. Contrary to your opinion, Linux isn't safe, neither is Windows, MacOS, iOS or Android. Nothing supports capability based security. Nothing will be safe until it's in widespread use. The fact it was invented in the 1970s and remains largely unknown is proof we're on the worst timeline.

flipcoder• 4 years ago

For desktops/laptops, what about Qubes? It's not for the average user but certainly an improvement where security is concerned.

boring_twenties• 4 years ago

You might want to look into GrapheneOS or its perhaps more user-friendly cousin CalyxOS.

atmosx• 4 years ago

The economist believes that this is because the security incidents are not tied to the stock market. Mobiles btw are okayish the bigger problem is with IoT.

Ask HN: Why modern computers and “smart” devices are so not safe?

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