this post was submitted on 04 Oct 2025
183 points (97.4% liked)

homeassistant

16424 readers
83 users here now

Home Assistant is open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first.
Powered by a worldwide community of tinkerers and DIY enthusiasts.

Home Assistant can be self-installed on ProxMox, Raspberry Pi, or even purchased pre-installed: Home Assistant: Installation

Discussion of Home-Assistant adjacent topics is absolutely fine, within reason.
If you're not sure, DM @GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk
greatalbatross@lemmy.world
183
Why do my LG smart fridge and my GE washer and dryer all have DNS servers? And is there a way I can control them without the manufacturer's miserable apps? (lemmy.radio)
submitted 2 days ago by early_riser@lemmy.radio to c/homeassistant@lemmy.world
80 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

First thing I do when I get a smart appliance is scan it with nmap. This has revealed some interesting Easter eggs, like my Davis instruments air quality sensors having a local REST API.

Doing the usual scan against my GE washer and dryer shows that port 53 is listening. What could that be for? Is there a way I can at least query their status locally or something?

When I got the washer and dryer I was excited about the smart home features because getting an alert when my laundry is done or starting the washer remotely so the clothes are done when I get home are genuinely useful features. However, last time I checked the app none of that was available, so I just have these Trojan horses in my home spying on me with no benefit in exchange. Their app wanted my freaking mailing address when I signed up for their mandatory account, so the features mentioned above are the least they could offer in exchange for my digital soul. But I digress.

My fridge is in a similar situation. It commits the additional cardinal sin of ONLY being controllable via the app, with no on-board temp or filter status indicators whatsoever.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

LOL! You actually believe all fridges work exactly like yours? You believe everyone's laundry is installed within hearing range exactly like yours? Some people even have washers & dryers without audio alerts. The laundry notifications allow us to get 6+ loads done in 1 day rather than 2.

There are millions of households in just the U.S. and nearly every single household is very different than yours. You need to get out more and stop admiring your own navel.