Amazon FireTv Cube scares the shit out of me

I just received a new Fire TV cube gen 3, because my old one is malfunctioning. I know, I hate these devices myself, but it’s the only option right now, since a new version of the Nvidia shield isn’t coming in the foreseeable future.

So, I plugged in the power chord and the HDMI cable into the cube.

When it booted up it showed a screen that it’s downloading the newest update. At first I thought this must be some typo-bug on the initial boot steps, because I haven’t even connected it to the internet yet, neither via cable nor did I go through the wifi setup.

After the update has finished, I was greeted with my real name and the cube indeed had the actual WiFi settings!

WTF?! How’s that even possible?

__init__,

Did you order it using your Amazon account? I think they pre-configure them for you unless you say “this is a gift” when ordering.

ad_on_is,
@ad_on_is@lemmy.world avatar

yes I did order it with my Amazon account

However, as appreciative as I am for making my setup process easier, I’m also not happy with the fact, that some random dude had access to my device prior to me.

Who says he’s not part of some weird group installing miners or bots onto my device causing it to slow down over time?

thragtacular,

You have an Amazon account, dude. Amazon already has your fucking information. ALL OF IT. Including things like card numbers, addresses, phone numbers, and your purchasing and viewing habits.

It pulled wifi settings from another Amazon device that you have, most likely.

It also downloaded your fucking information when it accessed the internet.

Do you really think there's some fuckin' rando sitting there doing nothing in an Amazon warehouse until the moment you order this thing, when they just plug it into a server and download your information to it?

No, it connected to your wifi and downloaded it.

Welcome to how almost every single electronic device operates.

If you're worried about miners or bots you shouldn't be purchasing invasive shit to plug into your home network. In fact, you shouldn't even have a home network.

ad_on_is,
@ad_on_is@lemmy.world avatar

No, it connected to your wifi and downloaded it.

I know thst, but when and how did it get the wifi info.

Did they automatically flash that onto the device, sealed the box packaged it and delivered it - all within 24hrs.

GlenRambo,

From @7eter below.

“Frustration-Free Setup utilizes a network of helper devices (such as compatible Echo devices, Fire TV devices, routers, or smartphones with certain Amazon apps) that are already connected to the internet to help you set up new devices in fewer steps. When you turn on a new compatible device, helper devices in range can help it connect to your networks and/or to Alexa via wifi, Zigbee, Bluetooth, or Matter.”

Darkassassin07,
@Darkassassin07@lemmy.ca avatar

In other words: your amazon devices are freely giving your wifi info to any nearby new amazon device regardless of whether you’ve signed into that new device or not.

Begs the question: What other clearly private info do they give away with 0 auth or verification?

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