SIM removal - how to?

[johnnycombo]

If you wonder why your insurance premiums spike and you did nothing wrong it could be your car data being sold!

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[4sallypat]

Updates absolutely happen over wifi. I've seen multiple comments on this forum in the past of people monitoring the wifi connection of the car downloading updates or having a log of the car downloading the update.

Yes and no.
WiFi connection does indeed download the OTA update packages ( I can see them thru my router to my Mach E ).

However installation of the update only happens via cellular.
Cellular connection is secure and a checksum is generated to confirm the correct package was installed.

Prevents people from installing malicious code or malware to your car from an unsecured WiFi connection.

 

[superdave80]

Can I ask why you bought a modern car when they have connectivity to the mothership? I'm intrigued as to the answer.

Are you able to currently buy a non-modern new car?

 

[Snakebitten]

Yes and no.
WiFi connection does indeed download the OTA update packages ( I can see them thru my router to my Mach E ).

However installation of the update only happens via cellular.
Cellular connection is secure and a checksum is generated to confirm the correct package was installed.

Prevents people from installing malicious code or malware to your car from an unsecured WiFi connection.

I have no doubt that you see packet traffic between the truck/car and the Motorcraft cloud through your router. But I think only two software update packages, in the last 3 years, have been tagged for Wifi delivery. Both being very small and if I'm not mistaken, were Asbuilt editing only. The reason they were tagged for Wifi delivery is both times it was to fix a broken TCU or GWM config, which prohibited cellular delivery.

I also believe that PTS shows the tagging for all software updates in one of the columns. 99.9x % of them are tagged for cellular only.

I'm just the messenger, but have seen the information provided by the gurus of PTS and OTA. I'm not afraid to eat crow, but I wouldn't be alone at the table.

 

[Aubury]

Yes and no.
WiFi connection does indeed download the OTA update packages ( I can see them thru my router to my Mach E ).

However installation of the update only happens via cellular.
Cellular connection is secure and a checksum is generated to confirm the correct package was installed.

Prevents people from installing malicious code or malware to your car from an unsecured WiFi connection.

Huh... That's an interesting way to do it. That seems unnecessary. Plenty of systems are capable of updating software securely downloading the updates from untrusted networks. Ford even signs their software updates and requires the ECUs to validate the signature to install an update.

 

[Jimrpa]

Choose Connected Vehicle Features.
Toggle the Vehicle Connectivity slider to your preference (On or Off).


I appreciate the info, but a hardware solution is the only real way to ensure compliance.
removing the SIM, or disconnecting the module it resides in is the only sure solution

The easiest way to absolutely guarantee that your car will never connect to anything is:
-open the frunk
- remove the beauty covers over the 12V battery terminals
- remove both the positive and negative leads from the 12V battery terminals
- wrap the leads securely with non-conductive electrical tape
- replace the beauty covers
- Close the frunk

and you’re done. Your car will absolutely, positively not be communicating with anything (including any fobs you may have).

You’re welcome.

 

[dj_stang]

Yes and no.
WiFi connection does indeed download the OTA update packages ( I can see them thru my router to my Mach E ).

However installation of the update only happens via cellular.
Cellular connection is secure and a checksum is generated to confirm the correct package was installed.

Prevents people from installing malicious code or malware to your car from an unsecured WiFi connection.

You’re not the first person to say this but it is so uninformed I don’t understand how this myth persists. There’s literally no way to maliciously modify the software update without the car knowing, you could connect to “Public Starbucks WiFi” and you can still be 100% certain that you’ve downloaded an authenticated update given that the server’s public key certificate is authenticated and the checksum provided by that server matches.

I think VPN companies are behind making people think that somehow public/private key crypto is broken. The only benefit that you get over cellular is that it’s slightly harder to obtain access to a US cell network, but you can do it yourself by paying a couple thousand bucks online for a telecom lease.

And sorry but it only seems like I’m going after you because your occupation is listed as network tech.

 

[Mike G]

 

[4sallypat]

You’re not the first person to say this but it is so uninformed I don’t understand how this myth persists. There’s literally no way to maliciously modify the software update without the car knowing, you could connect to “Public Starbucks WiFi” and you can still be 100% certain that you’ve downloaded an authenticated update given that the server’s public key certificate is authenticated and the checksum provided by that server matches.

I think VPN companies are behind making people think that somehow public/private key crypto is broken. The only benefit that you get over cellular is that it’s slightly harder to obtain access to a US cell network, but you can do it yourself by paying a couple thousand bucks online for a telecom lease.

And sorry but it only seems like I’m going after you because your occupation is listed as network tech.

That's fine - just remove your TCU and see if you get updates ?

 

[Track9979]

Confirming that at least some OTAs do download over WIFI. 6.14 was a few gig, and here it is being downloaded on 9/18 for me over WIFI. mmota-cdn.autonomic.ai resolves to all the 3.163.125.x addresses listed below.

 

[Spacey]

Are you able to currently by a non-modern new car?

Buy used over a certain age?

 

[HuntingPudel]

Technically, it’s just location 11. I have a 5A micro-3 fuse with one side blown that I took out of that location because the half of the fuse that serviced location 12 was blown. The left side door buttons And the B-pillar keypad weren’t working. Anyone want it? ??

 

[superdave80]

Buy used over a certain age?

I'm not sure you understand 'new' vs. 'used'.

 

[Pedro Diaz]

Updates absolutely happen over wifi. I've seen multiple comments on this forum in the past of people monitoring the wifi connection of the car downloading updates or having a log of the car downloading the update.

If FORD did like TESLA, on my CT the SIM will start the Update process but then you're required to connect to WIFI for the Download part. Now, I think I remember that my first MME update completed over SIM only. I've since connected to home WIFI and the process has been faster.

 

[Spacey]

I'm not sure you understand 'new' vs. 'used'.

OK. I'll make it simple. If someone does not want connectivity in a car then buy an older model which does not have connectivity. Job done.

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