Great app to have

Shelly

Shelly

Zorg Expert (I)
Supporter
British Zeds
East Anglian Crew
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Points
201
Location
Norfolk
Model of Z
Z4 2.0 20i M Sport sDrive
What a great little app to have :p
It's called ........
VEHICLE SMART :)
It tells you everything you need to know about your car :)
You can even set reminders about the date your MOT is due , and Tax date and much more :)
Have a look and see what you think ;)
 
I worry about some of these apps.

How do we know they're not set up by car thieves so they can find the the where abouts of all the cars they want?

Or thieves being able to access them somehow?

Probably a far fetched thought, but you never know.
 
Last edited:
I can see where your coming from :p
But ......
You don't put your details in ;)
 
Shelly said:
I can see where your coming from :p
But ......
You don't put your details in ;)
Click to expand...

But you'd put your car details in wouldn't you?

Easy for criminals to find your location through your IP address?

Sorry, I'm not trying to scaremonger, but high value car theft is big business and they can be very clever.
 
Sean d said:
Its a great app as long as you are not paranoid :D
Click to expand...

Fair point, but I've worked in the motor trade for 30 years, and also the Police 16 years.

So I suppose I've seen, and learnt about things, most people don't.
 
Tfp said:
Fair point, but I've worked in the motor trade for 30 years, and also the Police 16 years.

So I suppose I've seen, and learnt about things, most people don't.
Click to expand...
No wonder you don't trust most things :thumbsup:
 
Haven't looked at the app. What does it require access to?
An example: why would a "flashlight app" require access to your address book?
 
G4FUJ said:
Haven't looked at the app. What does it require access to?
An example: why would a "flashlight app" require access to your address book?
Click to expand...

You put your reg in from your car and it comes up with your cars info :p
Also it reminds you when your MOT is due and your tax etc :)
 
Lots of apps like this, just a quick way to get info, all info is on the net anyway, just have to do different sites

Got this app similar to app Car Check, and MOT History
 
Shelly said:
You put your reg in from your car and it comes up with your cars info :p
Also it reminds you when your MOT is due and your tax etc :)
Click to expand...
Much if not all of that info is available already.

The point about granting access to your phone data is a good one.
I would be concerned if the app like this asked for access to location (gps) information on your phone and tablet. Same for address book details.

IP addresses are unlikely to get you very far as far as location is concerned. They’re not like phone numbers. Blocks are allocated to network operators and even if used on a regional basis won’t say exactly where you are. Only if you have access to the network systems and routers can you get some idea of location of the end device.

Mobile device operating systems are very compartmentalised. Software has to ask for permission via the operating system and the user to get access to certain data on your device. When an app asks - think carefully if it it necessary for the app to have that data. If you’re unsure, say no. Most people will just click yes to get rid of the annoying box!

Choose apps that have lots of stars and reviews.
Apps in Apples Store undergo more rigorous testing but could still ask you to grant access to your data.
Treat apps for Android a little more carefully. The operating system is as good but it’s easier for rogue apps to be pushed out.
As suggested earlier, only grant access to your address book for things you want to have access. Things like Facebook keep asking for access because they claim it helps them find your friends for you from that data. That may be so, but, they still have your data and they will sell it on.
It is a nuisance having to go into the setup for each app but worth it to keep your data secure.
 
Excellent write - up @Redline :p
Very interesting to read ;)
 
Shelly said:
You put your reg in from your car and it comes up with your cars info :p
Also it reminds you when your MOT is due and your tax etc :)
Click to expand...
Yes I understood that from your first post.
I presume you are using an Apple device of some sort rather than Android?
I'm not familiar with Apple products (apart from underlying operating systems).
I do use Android though. When downloading an app to Android devices the App will state what other things it needs to access. In my simple example of a flashlight app, that really only needs access to the LED flash with your device's camera. Why would such an innocuous app need access to things like your address book - a number of them do. To me that is Spyware. Having been in the IT world for over 25 years I am rather wary of software requiring access to personal data.
'Fraid I'm with Tfp on this.

Reline wrote that far more eloquently than I... :)
 
G4FUJ said:
Yes I understood that from your first post.
I presume you are using an Apple device of some sort rather than Android?
I'm not familiar with Apple products (apart from underlying operating systems).
I do use Android though. When downloading an app to Android devices the App will state what other things it needs to access. In my simple example of a flashlight app, that really only needs access to the LED flash with your device's camera. Why would such an innocuous app need access to things like your address book - a number of them do. To me that is Spyware. Having been in the IT world for over 25 years I am rather wary of software requiring access to personal data.
'Fraid I'm with Tfp on this.
Click to expand...
It does not ask for personal data on Android, I know a number of guys in the motor trade that use this App when buying.
 
That's good then... :)
 
I’m keeping the app :p
It will be handy ;)
 
Tfp said:
Easy for criminals to find your location through your IP address?
Click to expand...

Redline said:
IP addresses are unlikely to get you very far as far as location is concerned.
Click to expand...

They can't find your home address details from your IP address, it could be anywhere depending on your provider.
For example @Gail's provider at work is in The Netherlands.
Bit paranoid for an ex cop me thinks ...

You may use 'traceroute' command to find clues to the location of the IP address. The names of the routers through which packets flow from your host to the destination host might hint at the geographical path of the final location.

https://www.iplocation.net/

 
If I was a victim of identity theft, it would be a weight off my mind.....they'd soon give it back...

Most of our cars probably have a 'book price' of £1500.. hardly high value, and they're insured.
The biggest thieves in the country are leading it, they have £1500 off me regularly..

Besides, people who are clever enough to make apps like Vehicle Smart are hardly likely to steal cars,.... they probably are worried about their own Ferrari getting nicked.
 
gookah said:
If I was a victim of identity theft, it would be a weight off my mind.....they'd soon give it back...

Most of our cars probably have a 'book price' of £1500.. hardly high value, and they're insured.
The biggest thieves in the country are leading it, they have £1500 off me regularly..

Besides, people who are clever enough to make apps like Vehicle Smart are hardly likely to steal cars,.... they probably are worried about their own Ferrari getting nicked.
Click to expand...
That made me giggle pal =))
 
hard top said:
They can't find your home address details from your IP address, it could be anywhere depending on your provider.
For example @Gail's provider at work is in The Netherlands.
Bit paranoid for an ex cop me thinks ...
Click to expand...

That's good to know, that's why I wrote it with a question mark.

I'm afraid I am paranoid.

I've met far too many victims of crime.

And GPS on smartphones??
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top