2024 spyware

I'm not a paranoid conspiracy nut. However, I do pay attention to all of the software attacks that are in the news seemingly every day now. It seems like everything is vulnerable now. I also don't like someone recording me or what I am doing as a matter of principal because things like that usually end up being abused somehow. A local attorney doesn't like vehicle spyware because he says it may be used against you in court or by your insurance company. Insurance companies aren't always the most honest entities on planet Earth. No comment on our legal system. I also have seen reports that if you connect your phone or WiFi, that also can be recorded.

So I started reading the manual for the 2024 4Runner.

1. Will disconnecting the shark fin stop this data transmission?
2. Will disconnecting the shark fin prevent any outside software attacks?
3. Which, if any of these "features" can be disabled/removed/turned off, and how?
4. Assuming this data is downloaded by mechanics when the vehicle is serviced, how can we erase it periodically?

 

https://www.4runners.com/threads/ho...cking-telemetry-on-the-5th-gen-4runner.20628/

https://www.4runners.com/threads/my-dcm-disconnection-odyssey.25104/

1. No, the DCM has a cellular radio inside and if the antenna is disconnected, the range is only reduced.
2. Call via the SOS button and request disconnection, that will be sufficient.
3. It's unclear what is being stored and how, or how big the cache is. some black-box functionality is expected but I don't believe it'll be touched outside of a collision investigation or if it's easily accessible.

The other alternative is to pull the DCM fuse, which will disable cellular functionality and the microphone. If you're fine with that, I'd call to disable and then pull it.

 

icebear beat me to the response. Welcome to the party!

 

That is all excellent information. Thanks!

Yes I am.

 

Am I the only one who remembers when the only seat belts were lap belts and we usually didn't wear them?

I get it - some people like and want all of this safety stuff, and modern electronics, and all of this digital stuff, and don't mind sacrificing privacy for convenience, and on and on. It seems like these are what used to be called option packages, not mandatory equipment and features. You know you are old when you reach this point in life like me. I just don't want or need all of this stuff. I just want a good truck that drives well for a long time.

 

What’s a DCM and does a 2018 have one?

 

Data Connection Module, basically a cellular radio that transmits metrics to Toyota for whatever use.

Your vehicle probably has one, (not all do I believe) if you have an SOS button you do, BUT I heard that 2019 and earlier models have a 3G DCM that connected to a network that has since been decommissioned. (goodbye 3G!)

Your infotainment might have a DCM status icon in there but either way I would not worry anymore.

 

I have a 2018, no SOS button.

 

Data collection is not new technology, driving over the road semi as far back as the mid 90's, there were "black boxes" in our tractors that recorded hard braking, overspeed, hours of service, etc. Sometimes, when the data was downloaded, it bit ya in the ass, most times it didn't. One instance: the insurance company said my rates went up because of accidents in the "group" of insured people. I took 3 yrs. worth of printouts from my semi driving and provided the insurance company with them. My agent agreed that I was a safe driver and my rate should not have went up. He made a phone call and wham! My rate went down a bunch. That is the insurance company trying to put us in a "group plan" (like using other data against everybody in the group) I do not like 'Big Brother' gawking at me and trying to use minor details like going 60 mph in a 55 zone, but, I kind of like the idea that in an emergency, we can hit the "On-star" button, or the S.O.S. button where the cell phones are in no-signal-ville. Kind of a double edged sword, I M O.

 

Amen, brother. I miss the pre-cell phone days, Rand McNally maps, high beams on the floor, a sofa for a back seat, gapping spark plugs, an engine you could actually work on, eating real food, and when $20 could actually buy you something. *Memories...like the corners of my mind....

 

This is nothing try using Tik Tok. As if that was not enough for the Chinese they send spy balloons too that we allow to spy on us. So I would not worry to much about the 4R submission restively speaking.

 

Facebook is way worse than tik tok. Every key stroke is collected, analyzed, disseminated and sold.

 

Either way, you should be fine then

 

I don’t think the SOS button would work if it’s not receiving a cell signal.

 

I don't think so, either. My PLB will work, though. (I would only push that button in a life-threatening situation, though).

 

It ought to be illegal for owners not to have an option to turn all of this data collection off. Unfortunately, a lot of things are illegal, and companies do them anyway or figure out away to skirt the law. It was a nightmare figuring out how to disable all of the spyware and telemetry in Windows 10. I wrote down all of the settings to configure and disable, and it took NINE pages.

TikTok? Fakebook? Twatter/X? Nope. I don't use those. I lived my whole life without them and don't need them now. I also avoid things from Apple or Google.

Where is the AM/FM antenna on the 2024 4Runner anyway? Is it in the window glass somewhere? My FJ Cruiser has an old style wire stick antenna that's about 2-1/2 feet tall, plus a shark fin that I never thought much about. I never used the satellite radio. I'm not sure what the data collection and telemetry is in the 2011 FJ, but the truck will be replaced soon enough.

Next step in life: A new truck that is as free of spyware as is reasonably possible.

When my family had one of these, we didn't need any spyware. The rear-facing back seat was the best feature ever! https://www.flemingsultimategarage.com/vehicles/1600/1972-plymouth-sport-suburban-brougham-wagon

 

On the side windows behind the C pillars.

 

I first thought they were heated defogger wires. When they didn't do anything when I turned on the defogger I realized they may be antennas.

 

Meanwhile the chemtrails are silently flowing out of our trusty smartphone reporting all behavior data curves to NSA. Don't deviate from your patterns, Bourne. lmao How come there isn't a roof rack with a mini-Faraday cage for the shark fin yet? I have a really heavy lead lined water cooler that I put my phone in before driving. The water tastes fine. But then I self-report on this site anyway.
"Why don't you say that three times?" "Within cells interlinked.""Within cells interlinked."Within cells interlinked."

 

if one pulls the DCM fuse. Which of all DCM icons disappear from the infotainment ?

 

All about picking your battles. We could dive into carrier choice, smartphone OS differences, what services you connect it to, etc. but that's a complicated beast and no reason to just roll over on everything else like the thread topic.

There was a sort-of win from GM recently: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/03/gm-stops-sharing-driver-data-with-brokers-amid-backlash/

Not that it really affects the people on this board currently - but we will see if it sticks.

I'm would have expected nothing to happen but maybe there was more of a kerfuffle than I saw. Especially since insurance changes were more visible than "this might bite us in the butt in X years" - much like the cigarette problem. Few would likely go for a second cigarette if the first one guaranteed insta-cancer and death in weeks. But something more fuzzy and far in the future? That's less concerning.

It'll probably still be there but crossed/greyed out - that's just a guess from me though.

 

What's a smartphone? Sounds like an unnecessary expense to me.

 

Truth=Conspiracy Theory + 6 months

 

Conspiracy Theorist Pronouns: Told/You/So

 

Why buy a vehicle that has data connectivity if you're concerned about this? There are millions of cars available that have zero data connection

 

It’s not ok to sell you a car that you own. And they still own it.

 

Man people are paranoid these days. Your cell phone keep track of more info than the 4Runner.

 

This level of ignorance is what companies bank on to succeed with the extreme theft of your privacy.

I bet if you pulled a report of everything they know about you, it would make your * vibrate. I’m sure you’d change your mind.

 

I don't think I'm tracking here. Are you saying that what the phone collects pales in comparison to what the 4R collects, enough so that if he knew, he'd agree that the 4R is a bigger security risk?

 

I can care less what the government/companies know or don't know. There no such thing as privacy when you post on forums and social media. If your on Facebook your basically broad casting your personal life.