2024 spyware

There is a difference between taking control of your data, which can be done in this case by calling toyota and opting out, vs not taking that route and attempting to swap vins on the DCM so that it thinks its tracking something else. There are reasonable and established procedures for this process.

But also, vote with your dollar. If you don't like what's available then don't buy it. Buying it has shown the companies that while you may not be happy with that part of the deal, its still not a big enough issue to turn you off.

 

1. Because I want one.
   
2. I am past the point in my life where I buy used anything. You can buy used shoes, used clothes, used furniture with bed bugs if you want. Have fun in life.
   
3. Used cars have an unknown history.
   
4. You can drive an unreliable old piece of junk with no paint and parts falling off if you want and keep sinking your money into it. Good luck.

Reference: those with no logic or reasoning skills to be able to answer the question above.

Something that lasts a long time, I enjoy, and is reliable. Hmmm ... not seeing the waste there. Try reading 1-4 above again.

Only for people who have not managed to become financially independent and productive members of society.

 

And you actually think that stops the transmission and collection of all data? Seriously? You obviously, 1) Haven't read the excerpts posted or do not understand them, and 2) Have no idea what a DCM is or how it works.

Bots and trolls use this technique. That has been posted again and again. Asked and answered multiple times. You are happy with the spyware and are just here to troll.

 

Thank you! I thought the one on ours had an 800 number as well. I just got a glimpse though before the salesman removed it.

 

But people voted with their wallet. Bought it, and now want to axe DCM. And that’s exactly what’s happening, they’re in the process of it. Once it’s figured out, it’s figured out. Those who want to axe it can and those who don’t shant.

 

See the first post of this thread for 800 numbers.

 

We are being trolled folks. Please let's not reply to things other than the facts of what information is being collected, what is needed to remove the spyware, listing the spyware devices and connections, contacts to opt out, etc.

 

Opting out won't stop it all. It just stops Toyota, if you trust them, and if you trust that it cannot be reactivated by a bad actor, either at Toyota or an external bad actor. Best bet is to unplug and/or remove the transceiver itself.

Note: If you keep using music streaming and cell phone tower and satellite connections, those items will still be collected by those providers, specifically Amazon, Google, ATT and others as identified in the Terms of Service listed by Toyota in the screenshots earlier in this thread. Opting out is only for Toyota itself.

Unplugging the transceiver should put a stop to this nonsense, although certain things are still going to be stored in the vehicle, like the diagnostic codes and who knows what else. This is a good start though since it will disable the "phone home" data reporting capability AND disable the ability for others to access remote controlled "features" like those listed in the Terms of Service. Gee, what could go wrong there with others accessing control over items in your vehicle? /SARC

https://www.toyota.com/privacyvts/

https://www.toyota.com/support/contact-us

https://support.toyota.com/s/questions-comments

Damn:

 

For electronics, ground the antenna connection if it has one of the external antennas. If it's internal, some disassembly is required. The antenna is often nothing more than a little piece of wire dangling from a PC board inside. Sometimes it is a circuit board trace that can be cut with a razor blade. Sometimes there is one on the PC board and another connection to a wire or external antenna.



Then add a piece of electrical tape over the camera if so equipped.

Voice control? Now you have to deal with an annoying microphone in the TV and/or the remote control. Double-sided foam tape should defeat that simply enough.

Now relax and enjoy the TV.

 

I agree wholeheartedly with this one:

Remote vehicle hijacking:

https://www.pcmag.com/news/hackers-remotely-hijack-a-jeep-crash-it-into-a-ditch

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/tesl-model-s-remote-hack,32722.html

Toyota data breach:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...data-leak-after-access-key-exposed-on-github/

SiriusXM hack allows unlocking and starting cars:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...llowed-hackers-to-remotely-unlock-start-cars/

 

So this sheds some light on why we lose speakers if we disconnect all of the wires.

 

The Data Communication Module (DCM) is easy to disable by pressing the SOS button and having the eSIM card deactivated. Once the cellular line is cut, it's over.

The Event Data Recorder (EDR) is protected by federal law and cannot be accessed by anyone other than the owner or leasee of the car. (States have their own laws too.)

The infotainment system is another story. It collects tons of data and appears to be largely unregulated. Do some research.

 

Buy yourself a bicycle and you won't have to worry about it.

 

One problem is, that if it can be remotely deactivated, I'll bet there is a way to reactivate it remotely. Never say never. A "well-intentioned" dealer also might.

Also, see prior post on hacking through the SiriusXM.

I'll be physically disabling and removing all of it.

 

No the eSIM is deactivated by AT&T -- at least it was for me, other's may have used different carriers or had different experiences. I pressed the SOS button, got Toyota, and they gave me a phone number at AT&T to call. The truck's phone number is dead.

Yes, SiriusXM can be hacked. Don't use it. I bought a stand alone SiriusXM receiver with a "Lifetime Subscription" from Ebay for about $180 and I use that. It transmits Sirius on an FM band and I tune the truck's stereo to that frequency and voilà!

Also get an OBD Port Lock. Your dealer may suck your data right off the truck and not even call you in the morning.

 

I don't trust them either. I want it physically disabled.

How?

 

Thanks for that. At least a warrant is required in Florida. It's supposed to only store info for about 30 seconds, and supposedly permanently writes it to memory only after airbags are deployed.

 

I purchased a new Mercedes Metris cargo van in Dec 2023 for traveling and hauling motorcycles. I do not think it has a connection, the Mercedes "My connect" is not equipped, I may be wrong and next rainy day I'm going to dig deeper into. I have seen no signs of being "connected" so far.

As far as my 4Runner, I think easiest way for me to disconnect was to pull fuse for the DCM.

 

What signals related to DCM remained on in the screen?

 

If the DCM is so dangerous to the tin foil hat brigade why do they still own, and continue to buy, 4Runners?

Seems like they just want something to whine about when there is an easy fix.

Sell that Runner. Get yourself a '74 Ford station wagon. Problem solved...

 

Because it might be easier to disconnect 4runners than it is to find a 74 Ford wagon that hasn’t turned into powder?

Not to mention it might be easier to disconnect than it is to keep an old car running and reliable.

 

That goes back to my earlier point that there are very little if any new cars being produced that aren’t connected. The modern business model is to integrate internet connectivity as a standard and unavoidable “feature” even though it has little to no bearing on the vehicle’s function.

I know you’re trying to present a solution while I’m just yelling at the clouds. It's just frustrating because I don't like exploitation.

Edit: A kinda good metaphor that I just thought of is comparing internet connectivity on products like cars to earmarks on bills that are passed by Congress. They're irrelevant, unnecessary, and usually benefit the few rather than the many.

 

It’s a huge prisoner’s dilemma game and consumers lose as telematics is not on people’s radar - or it doesn’t move the needle enough to affect a purchase.

Heck, I consider myself reasonably informed and I didn’t even think to ask if my used 2016 Sorento had an engine immobilizer included. (it did not, unlike the cheapest Nissans of its model year)

With GM ditching CarPlay (not sure if Android Auto is gone too), that’s a big feature I hear about people not considering cars without it but will that make a difference? Maybe. But if other companies follow suit like with the password sharing streaming crackdown, all you can do is opt-out - but you can’t download a car.

 

Trolls are

I for one am looking forward to a brand new, spyware-free 4Runner.

 

What are you tin foil hat wearers going to do about all those tracking chips Bill Gates is putting in the gasoline? And he's put them in every brand of beer except Bud Light.

BE CAREFUL!!! Pretty soon every illegal alien will have your address and will be sneaking into your bedroom at night and rubbing their junk on your face while you sleep.

The horror, the horror...

 

Nice!

Please do not feed the trolls. Trolls are miserable little creatures who live in their own very small minds. I'm glad I'm not one.

 

None and it's confirmed as I no longer get emails from the dealership saying I'm due maintenance. Note: I do not have my phone connected to any of my vehicles so I could care less if mic is disabled, most of the time I do not carry my phone, it sits on my kitchen counter.

I see it as if they want my driving data they should pay me for it. This DCM stuff has been discussed before, read below thread.

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