Amazon Alexa and Ring -- how to turn off "Sidewalk"

[JimMIA]

Amazon has introduced something that nobody ever probably asked for -- a default connection to your NEIGHBORS internet connection for your Alexa Speakers and Ring doorbell.

Very easy to disable this vulnerability, and here's how:

https://www.local10.com/tech/2021/0...ur-internet-with-others-heres-how-to-opt-out/

 

[kanerf]

I don't have any neighbors that are close enough to be impacted by this, but disabled anyway. I just don't trust Amazon.

 

[kdonnel]

Is this just now going live? Seems like this was announced a couple years ago.

 

[georgina]

Is this just now going live? Seems like this was announced a couple years ago.

Yep. Today

 

[wenrob]

When they originally announced this I went and turned it off. Since then the app has updated and when I went and checked it was switched on. So if you turned it off prior to the last week or two go check your settings because it’s most likely on. As a general rule you should always go through your settings after any smart thing or app updates to double check they’re not applying things you don’t want to happen. (I’m looking at you ecobee)

 

[NotUrsula]

The Washington Post has a Tech Section article today recommending users switch it off (which is interesting, since Bezos also owns WaPo). Instructions (with screenshots) are at the end of the article:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/06/07/amazon-sidewalk-network/

 

[_19disnA]

Would it still connect if your neighbor's wifi is password protected?

 

[kdonnel]

Would it still connect if your neighbor's wifi is password protected?

It does not allow your devices to connect to your neighbors wifi or their devices to connect to yours.

It creates a proprietary mesh network that uses up to 500MB of your data a month. At a rate that maxes out at 80Kbps which is virtually nothing.

The Amazon devices that are compatible act as a bridge between your network and the device that needs to phone home. Not using wifi but instead connecting the Amazon devices directly together.

It is not different than what an iPhone does for other Apple devices that need to tell Apple where they are when they have no internet of their own. For example an airtag near an iPhone will ask it to tell Apple where it is so the owner can find it.

So when Amazon does it, oh no!, when Apple does it, amazing!

 

[_19disnA]

Ok so sounds like you both need the device and it has to be configured to allow that connection. Don't own one but seems too many ways for devices to be hacked and then people seem surprised. Most companies who sell these devices (apple/amazon/etc) don't seem to care about security or figure it is someone else's problem to resolve.

 

[SteveH]

Thanks @JimMIA - this is one of the reason I do not own any Amazon devices, and never will.

 

[NotUrsula]

It does not allow your devices to connect to your neighbors wifi or their devices to connect to yours.

It creates a proprietary mesh network that uses up to 500MB of your data a month. At a rate that maxes out at 80Kbps which is virtually nothing.

The Amazon devices that are compatible act as a bridge between your network and the device that needs to phone home. Not using wifi but instead connecting the Amazon devices directly together.

It is not different than what an iPhone does for other Apple devices that need to tell Apple where they are when they have no internet of their own. For example an airtag near an iPhone will ask it to tell Apple where it is so the owner can find it.

So when Amazon does it, oh no!, when Apple does it, amazing!

Not for everyone. This is a part of why I flat refuse to use any Apple product; I don't like the degree of remote control that the company maintains over their products -- ALL of their products. (You really cannot disconnect them from the company if you want them to continue to work.)

I tend to avoid the Internet of Things as much as humanly possible, and when forced to have them, I keep the connection settings on manual at all times, and mostly keep the connectivity switched off.

 

[kdonnel]

Not for everyone. This is a part of why I flat refuse to use any Apple product; I don't like the degree of remote control that the company maintains over their products -- ALL of their products. (You really cannot disconnect them from the company if you want them to continue to work.)

I tend to avoid the Internet of Things as much as humanly possible, and when forced to have them, I keep the connection settings on manual at all times, and mostly keep the connectivity switched off.

I agree not for everyone but that tight integration and control makes working in the Apple ecosystem seem like magic.

 

[bdcp]

My Echo is 2nd generation so no issue, but I would turn it off in a heartbeat. It's not an even option for me in the app as mine isn't one of the ones that can even have it. But, something to remember if I ever replace it. We do not have iphones or other Apple products either.