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Old 07-22-16, 08:58 AM   #1
Xringer
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Default Is your home 'control' system on the web?

I'm not a IT guy at all, but I found this interesting..

https://www.wired.com/2016/07/now-ca...-home-darknet/

"
Here’s how it works: the Guardian Project turned a simple Raspberry Pi mini-computer into a smart hub running the open-source software called HomeAssistant software and acts as a so-called Tor hidden service, the same application of Tor that obscures the location of servers running dark web sites.
The result, says Guardian Project director Nathan Freitas, is a far stealthier and more secure way to connect your smart home to the Internet, while still keeping it safe from potential digital attacks.
“All we did was pull these pieces together to demonstrate a proof-of-concept for the role Tor can play in your home,” says Freitas, who’s also a fellow at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society. “It’s turning your Internet-of-things hub into a hidden service.”

"
https://youtu.be/j2yT-0rmgDA

Currently, I do not have any ports enabled on my router, that would allow me
to see my home devices (CAI controller, security DVR & etc), while I'm away from home..
My stuff can only be seen by using a direct home network connection. Either wifi or a LAN cable.
But, I would like to be able to see it while I'm away from home, and connected to a hotel or other public wifi system.
What do you experts think of the above solution?

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Old 07-22-16, 09:17 AM   #2
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This is one of the cheap pocket tablets that I use for monitoring my home gear via the FIOS router.
https://www.amazon.com/Tracfone-Alca.../dp/B01770XUPM



By removing the SIM card, I hope the cell radio is disabled, and not using power.
There is no signal bars showing for cell towers.. Just Wifi..
So the cell phone radio might actually be off..
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Old 07-23-16, 05:54 PM   #3
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It's probably OK for most peple, but I'd feel better if the service was behind SSH with a 2048 or 4096 bit key. 1024 bit keys can probably be broken by most nation-states, and sooner or later by organized crime, militants, and anyone else with enough in the way of resources. MisterHouse I think supports this.

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Old 07-25-16, 06:54 AM   #4
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No your still using power on the cell radio if you are not in air plane mode. That disables the radio by default. Quick FYI from an IT Tech
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Old 07-25-16, 08:14 AM   #5
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Thanks.. All my 'mini-tablets' are kept in airplane mode (and BT off too).
Sometimes an app will 'need' to turn off airplane mode, for some reason..
But, I stay on top of it. You can see the plane Icon on the screen above.
When the plane is off/gone, the (missing) SIM card error icon comes on.
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Old 07-25-16, 09:07 AM   #6
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The TOR network is an option but I believe that is just obfuscating the connection not really securing it. What you really want is a VPN (Virtual private network). That is a secured (SSH) network tunnel through the internet to your home network. Once connected it is just like being connected locally.
There are various easy solutions for VPNs or free solutions like OpenVPN that take more work.
If you travel or even just regularly use open hotspots while out, a VPN can also help protect that web activity by routing it through your home network. The hotspot will only see encrypted noise.
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Old 07-25-16, 10:14 AM   #7
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Yeah, VPN is what we used at work.. Not sure what they use these days.
I like the idea. Looks like the VPN server can be created pretty easy..
http://readwrite.com/2014/04/10/rasp...-web-browsing/

This winter this looks like a project to work.. While it's snowing..

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