10-28-2023, 05:35 PM | #1 |
Enthusiast
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Device: Nook, Kindle
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How can you trust an Used Kindle ?
With Kindles once again jailbroken, I put forward that:
1. It is completely unsafe to ever enter your Amazon account credentials into an Used Kindle 2. It is possibly unsafe sell a non-jailbroken Kindle that has ever had your credentials. I will explain my reasoning, and you can tell me I'm overly paranoid. Buying an used Kindle:
Selling an used Kindle:
I think the answer is for there to be a push for Amazon to release the full software installation process - presumably this is over a "special" usb cable - so users can be confident that the device isn't "contaminated" Meanwhile, anyone buying an used device needs to trust in the Kindness of Strangers. |
10-29-2023, 06:53 AM | #2 |
the rook, bossing Never.
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How can you trust a used car, Mac, Android, iOS, PC etc?
The larger risk is that it's a blacklisted Kindle. Also the best reason for a cheap used kindle is simply to register once, put it in a drawer and use Amazon's Download & Transfer in a browser for bought books. None of your objections apply to all that, even if all or true. A Kindle is madness for PD books. It's now too restrictive a platform compared to all except Nook. |
10-29-2023, 10:22 AM | #3 |
doofus
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I trust in the laziness of strangers not to bother doing any of this shenanigan
Sent from my SM-T720 using Tapatalk |
10-29-2023, 10:39 AM | #4 |
0000000000101010
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Whilst a jailbroken and compromised Kindle could be of concern, I'd see is as being a more targeted attack (for a specific person etc).
Scammers wouldn't go to the trouble of modifying a Kindle to obtain a single person's credentials when they have other avenues for acquiring credentials in bulk with far less time and effort. I would like to see an option for a full disk wipe, repartition and install though, for peace of mind. Last edited by neil_swann80; 10-29-2023 at 10:43 AM. |
10-29-2023, 10:43 AM | #5 | |
Member
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Quote:
As always, most of the time nothing will happen. Yet a rest risk remains. |
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10-29-2023, 11:35 AM | #6 |
Grand Sorcerer
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Y'all are paranoid.
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10-29-2023, 12:09 PM | #7 |
Member Retired
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10-29-2023, 12:17 PM | #8 | |
the rook, bossing Never.
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Quote:
If that's true, then never sell it. Put it in a drawer. I get an immediate email after any Amazon purchase and I never turn on WiFi except on rare situations on any ereader, especially not Kindle once registered, except the Android one to add an App from Playstore or get a Library book/ Last edited by Quoth; 10-29-2023 at 12:22 PM. |
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10-29-2023, 12:18 PM | #9 |
Zealot
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In the professional security industry we have the term "risk tolerance". You evaluate a risk based on the likelihood of it happening/effecting you and the damages/costs it will incur. You mitigate based on your willingness to take on the costs of time and/or money to prevent it. Is a $15 used Kindle worth being super paranoid that someone put it into the wild with the intent of stealing your account? For the vast majority of people, no. There's always a risk that someone stuck a GPS tracker on your car at any time. Do you do a full inspection for one before you drive? No, because the risk vs the hassle is usually within your risk tolerance, unless you have very specific circumstances.
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10-29-2023, 01:55 PM | #10 |
Resident Curmudgeon
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10-29-2023, 05:38 PM | #11 |
Bibliophagist
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I may be paranoid. The question is if I am paranoid enough.
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