[SoHoVe]

One thing I did find interesting is I came across a couple articles that mentioned a supposed impact on wildlife and my neighborhood at some point went from a significant ongoing pigeon problem to VERY few birds of any kind.

No idea if the change took place around the meter installation though because I wasn't living here

Interesting....

[ScoopLV]

Having read the arguments against smart meters, I am adding them in with airplane vapor trails, the moon landing "hoax" and the Loch Ness monster.

[ND_Irish]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

Having read the arguments against smart meters, I am adding them in with airplane vapor trails, the moon landing "hoax" and the Loch Ness monster.

While I am agnostic regarding some of the arguments against smart meters, there is no way you can discount the potential security issues. I have a background in technology, and they are legitimate.

[LVAllen]

Originally Posted by ND_Irish

While I am agnostic regarding some of the arguments against smart meters, there is no way you can discount the potential security issues. I have a background in technology, and they are legitimate.

I tend to agree with you regarding the potential security issues, but I'm not sure how those issues affect the end-user. Does ScoopLV care if an unauthorized person reads his meter? Probably not. Would he care if that same unauthorized person sends a firmware update to the smart meter, disconnecting and permanently disabling it? Probably only until NV Energy replaced it. While the security issues affect NV Energy's bottom line, should your typical consumer care?

[lvoc]

I understand the technology reasonably well. I too fail to see what the aggressor would be after. I suppose you could determine that it is unlikely anyone is at home at some time. Though one can do that by simply ringing the door bell...the normal burglary tactic in Las Vegas.

I suppose one could figure out the system and gain entry. But to what end? Black mail NV Energy? They simply develop a fix real quick and block you out. And to actually do serious damage you would need to invade the backbone which may be a much more difficult task.

I would think wifi a much greater security risk.

[ND_Irish]

Originally Posted by LVAllen

I tend to agree with you regarding the potential security issues, but I'm not sure how those issues affect the end-user. Does ScoopLV care if an unauthorized person reads his meter? Probably not. Would he care if that same unauthorized person sends a firmware update to the smart meter, disconnecting and permanently disabling it? Probably only until NV Energy replaced it. While the security issues affect NV Energy's bottom line, should your typical consumer care?

He should care if someone is reading his meter and monitoring his usage patterns to determine when he is at home. I see it not only as a security issue but a privacy issue.

[ScoopLV]

I have more of a chance of being struck by lightning or killed by a meteor.

I am now FIRMLY placing smart meters in the same category as the Loch Ness monster, vapor trails, and Piltdown Man.

[ND_Irish]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

I have more of a chance of being struck by lightning or killed by a meteor.

I am now FIRMLY placing smart meters in the same category as the Loch Ness monster, vapor trails, and Piltdown Man.

There may be reasons why you wish to place a smart meter in the same category as the things you mentioned, but security and privacy are not among them in my opinion.

[LVAllen]

Originally Posted by ND_Irish

He should care if someone is reading his meter and monitoring his usage patterns to determine when he is at home. I see it not only as a security issue but a privacy issue.

That's just not feasible as a burglary attack plan. For starters, it's not nearly reliable enough. How can you really distinguish between someone leaving the residence and someone simply leaving the a/c running while they're gone? If I turn off every single light in my house, I save maybe 2 kwh/day, which is barely a blip on the usage. Sure, my TV isn't on when everyone leaves, but any TV worth stealing doesn't draw that much power to begin with. The major power users (pool pump, A/C) run whether I'm there or not. Of course, if I'm using a swamp cooler and no pool pump, all bets are off. My power usage is very nearly a straight line all day long, regardless of who is present.

A much simpler and likely more successful way? Watch the house. Take a look at the neighborhood. Knock on the door. All sorts of things I learned watching "It Takes a Thief."

[SoHoVe]

Originally Posted by LVAllen

That's just not feasible as a burglary attack plan. For starters, it's not nearly reliable enough. How can you really distinguish between someone leaving the residence and someone simply leaving the a/c running while they're gone? If I turn off every single light in my house, I save maybe 2 kwh/day, which is barely a blip on the usage. Sure, my TV isn't on when everyone leaves, but any TV worth stealing doesn't draw that much power to begin with. The major power users (pool pump, A/C) run whether I'm there or not. Of course, if I'm using a swamp cooler and no pool pump, all bets are off. My power usage is very nearly a straight line all day long, regardless of who is present.

A much simpler and likely more successful way? Watch the house. Take a look at the neighborhood. Knock on the door. All sorts of things I learned watching "It Takes a Thief."

Absolutely^^^^