For me it all started with a HVAC thermostat called an Ecobee, which wanted to be connected via Wi-Fi to the internet. There it would log data and get climate information to find the best settings. Also support would be able to see it if necessary.
I wound up dumbing that down by just simply turning off the Wi-Fi.
So now, doing a little bit of research on residential solar energy, I’m wondering about security again. Typically, a residential solar energy system uses optimizers or micro inverters and controllers or gateways, which talk to each other. And in turn these are hooked up via Wi-Fi to the internet. The advantage is that the system can report errors and diagnostic information to the installer or dealer and manufacturer. These devices can be troubleshooted and flashed with the latest software.
So what about security? It seems to me that a manufacturer, or dealer/ installer looks all the way through your personal gateway(modem/router, etc.) and straight directly into their devices. But what else could they do and what would happen if they were hacked? Are there simple, consumer level ways to protect or isolate?
Any discussion, comments or questions would be appreciated.
Mike