That's crazy that LG installed adware by bundling it up with Windows drivers and delivering it through Windows Update.
If companies can send adware through Windows Update packaged simply as 'drivers' and Microsoft doesn't even raise an eyebrow even once this is known, reported and questioned by media, then my already low opinion of their quality control drops precipitously.
Microsoft has since forced LG to remove the McAfee ads.
After it became a scandal
we're not sorrybthat er did this, or allowed it to happen, we're sorry we're caught
Never connect your display to the internet is the classic advice.
Unfortunately some screens require you to connect to a Wi-Fi before they let you use them, causing you to need to create a unique burner hotspot on your mobile device to complete it. We've also heard of these kinds of devices connecting to any open network automatically too.
I can imagine from TVs and mobile devices these manufacturers have a database of Wi-Fi network + passwords it could use as well. Screens are also integrating docks into themselves meaning that Ethernet meant for your laptop or connected to your desktop could be used too.
This isn't even the case for those LG monitors, they trigger a Windows Update download for malware.
Or, as is the case with my Samsung monitor, they have Bluetooth always on.
Conjecture: This, I believe, is so it can find and talk to other Samsung devices that ARE connected to the internet and phone home.
It's really just an impossible level of shitty. No LG or Samsung for me
Yeah, wtf a monitor doesn't need Bluetooth or a wifi connection. I'm good I'll stick to the non brand names.
Why buy these kind of monitors in the first place ?
I think there are plenty of monitors that don't have weird online requirements or spyware in it so why buy them at all ?
Everytime someone buys a monitor like that they normalize the practice.
A monitor has one job -> displaying images.
Because almost every aspect of the modern high-tech industry is an oligopoly. No small-time maker could even hope to compete with big brands like Samsung, Asus, Intel, AMD or Nvidia even if they had decades worth of credit to catch up due to how the current system reinforces "first past the goalpost" advantage.
Malicious tech is not something you "vote with your wallet" against. That's neoliberal copium and propaganda.
States need to step in, regulate and control makes of digital goods and services. Unfortunately, we have the reverse going on right now.
If it requires internet for a device that does not need it, it gets send back to the manufacturer with a complaint.
So the next solution is to let it connect to your network but then block it at the firewall. That way you have full control over what it sees.
It is a dumb arms race between consumers and the devices they purchased
My TV isn’t allowed to connect to the internet. It doesn’t know the password. No more ads :)
Going to the salvation store | thrift store now to get those crt monitors someone’s mom told to get rid of after 35+ yrs from the garage or death..
Only if you use BloatOs by Microschoft
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
