The energy crisis

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by Paul

Security concerns about meter readings ?

Go on, enlighten me as to what those security concerns are.

Is it that readings could be indicative of whether a property is occupied or not? Not definitive of course.

The first article looks like typical unfounded scaremongering.
I'm not a fan of smart meters, but that article is a little ridiculous.

Most of the burglers around here would probably struggle to spell 'Smart Meter', let alone hack into one.

Ive seen no evidence anyone has done this (anywhere) and anyone clever enough to do so is unlikely to do it just so they can burgle a house.

Btw, a large number of standard meters around here can easily be accessed as long as you have the standard triangle key, so anyone can "hack" the readings (ie just open the door and read them).

[tweetiepooh]

We run our appliances in the morning when the sun is strongest on our solar panels rather than drawing on mains regardless when power companies say is the quiet time. I'm sure that others will be in similar positions but generate most in afternoons. Yes you do burn off generated power first but you still pay "more" for excess you do burn from the mains.

[Jaymoss]

Over 20KWH drop in electric consumption this month, it has to be the air fryer saved it and I only had it 2 weeks

[spiderplant]

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

Over 20KWH drop in electric consumption this month, it has to be the air fryer saved it and I only had it 2 weeks

Let's hope nobody has hacked your meter or you might get burgled

[Jaymoss]

Originally Posted by spiderplant

Let's hope nobody has hacked your meter or you might get burgled

not on a smart meter anyway hahaha

[Ms NTL]

Originally Posted by Paul

The first article looks like typical unfounded scaremongering.
I'm not a fan of smart meters, but that article is a little ridiculous.

Most of the burglars around here would probably struggle to spell 'Smart Meter', let alone hack into one.

Ive seen no evidence anyone has done this (anywhere) and anyone clever enough to do so is unlikely to do it just so they can burgle a house.

Btw, a large number of standard meters around here can easily be accessed as long as you have the standard triangle key, so anyone can "hack" the readings (ie just open the door and read them).

The burglars will not write the software, and they will use it as a device. Like the car thives.

There several publications on "Smart meter Data Analysis". There is software too.

A simplistic example: The burglar needs to know whether the house is empty. Checks the data and there is activity. Was it a light switched on or off? Or just the freezer/Fridge kicked in? By analyzing the historical data you know the wattage of appliances that kick in regularly. With high probability you can tell, if it was a light or not.

Also you link those with the outside temperature (air-con kicks in, central heating), day/night time etc

If somebody has done the analysis of the house of say, a rich person, then it has an advantage.

The data on the house gadget are updated every second or so. Is the connection of the gadget with the smart meter encrypted nowadays? I dunno.

[jfman]

I suspect any meaningful hacking of the system - if possible - would be to sabotage the whole system rather than target a house for burglary.

[spiderplant]

Originally Posted by jfman

I suspect any meaningful hacking of the system - if possible - would be to sabotage the whole system rather than target a house for burglary.

Or to reduce the bill. Which is a pretty good incentive for the companies to make sure it's secure.

Meanwhile, if you want to know if somebody is at home, there are easier ways.

[jfman]

Originally Posted by spiderplant

Or to reduce the bill. Which is a pretty good incentive for the companies to make sure it's secure.

Meanwhile, if you want to know if somebody is at home, there are easier ways.

Well yes

In my head I was stuck at nefarious third parties I forgot to include why you’d want to hack your own.

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by jfman

Well yes

In my head I was stuck at nefarious third parties I forgot to include why you’d want to hack your own.

Back in Thatchers Britain in Liverpool, we regularly hacked our gas and electric meters.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Pierre

Back in Thatchers Britain in Liverpool, we regularly hacked our gas and electric meters.

For the electric meter, it was a single screw, as I recall.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

For the electric meter, it was a single screw, as I recall.

For the 50p's...

You could wire it up to lamp posts to if you knew what you were doing, I didn't I hasten to add

[jfman]

Originally Posted by Pierre

Back in Thatchers Britain in Liverpool, we regularly hacked our gas and electric meters.

Heroes.

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by jfman

Heroes.

Thieves