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Some Smart Meters Broadcast Readings in the Clear

Posted by Unknown on from the find-out-who-hates-the-planet dept.

alphadogg writes "University of South Carolina have discovered that some types of electricity meter are broadcasting unencrypted information that, with the right software, would enable eavesdroppers to determine whether you're at home. The meters, called AMR (automatic meter reading) in the utility industry, are a first-generation smart meter technology and they are installed in one third of American homes and businesses. They are intended to make it easy for utilities to collect meter readings. Instead of requiring access to your home, workers need simply drive or walk by a house with a handheld terminal and the current meter reading can be received." Perhaps more distressing, given trends in 4th amendment interpretation, I bet the transmissions are open game for law enforcement.

8 of 138 comments (clear)

  1. Lights Also Transmit Signals by MacroSlopp · · Score: 5, Funny

    You can also tell if someone is home through unencrypted lightbulb signals through windows.

    1. Re:Lights Also Transmit Signals by thePowerOfGrayskull · · Score: 3, Funny

      You can also tell if someone is home through unencrypted lightbulb signals through windows.

      Maybe at your house.

      At my house we always encrypt our light bulb emissions. Always.

    2. Re:Lights Also Transmit Signals by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      I encrypt my emissions using CUR-tain protocol it uses a 100 threadcount gravity hung distribution system based on the R-0-D infrastructure.

    3. Re:Lights Also Transmit Signals by Sarten-X · · Score: 4, Funny

      I, too, encrypt my lightbulb emissions using the CUR-tain algorithm. There is some shadow analysis that can break it, but repeated application of the algorithm (often referred to as Triple CUR or 3CUR) will often foil that.

      --
      You do not have a moral or legal right to do absolutely anything you want.
  2. We also need shock isolation basements. by 140Mandak262Jamuna · · Score: 4, Funny
    If you place some seismometers on the street quite close to the house, people can detect if there are people moving about in the house. Add to it laser beams reflecting off the window panes, they can detect minute changes in the structure as it flexes when you move from your bedroom to the bathroom. Sensitive microphones can be used to detect the sounds of toilet flushes too.

    So, next time, in addition to getting tin foil for the hats, you should get non reflective paint for the whole structure, shock isolating floating foundation for the entire home and special noise cancelling speakers attached to the plumbing. Else, gasp! thieves will know when you are in and when you are not in your own home.

    --
    sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
    1. Re:We also need shock isolation basements. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yo momma so fat, burglars use gravitometers to case your house.

  3. Re:Reaching for paranoia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Or they can walk around pretending to be cops, and offering tips on how to keep your house safe while you're on vacation, and oh yeah, would you like to tell us when you're out so we can keep an eye on your house?

    This works very well around Christmas, or so I'm told.

    Just be careful, you might get the one house with the Kid who has apparently gotten a master's in engineering.

  4. Re:Who writes this crap. by tftp · · Score: 2, Funny

    11. Call the house (using White Pages) and if anyone answers say "This is Rachel from Cardholder Services..."