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Vigor2860 router - Block Alexa

  • icarusbop
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17 Aug 2021 11:00 #1 by icarusbop
Vigor2860 router - Block Alexa was created by icarusbop
Hello

Can anyone help me with trying to block Alexa please?

I have added a rule that block the listed outgoing ports (Output TCP: 40317, 67, 68, Output UDP: 53, 123, 40317, 49317, 33434, 1900, 5000, 5353)
I couldn't block TCP ports 80, 8080, 443 because they are needed for standard internet.

But the thing is still working.

[I didn't buy an Alexa then want to block it. It came with a smart TV. I Had to buy a smart TV because a Dumb TV is no longer an option, and it seems all smart TV's now seem to have an Alexa (or other house spy) installed as standard)

Thanks

IcarusBop

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17 Aug 2021 17:52 #2 by pharcyder
Replied by pharcyder on topic Re: Vigor2860 router - Block Alexa
Not sure where you got all those ports from but Alexa devices talk to these domains:

vsp-alexa-eu.amazon.com
vsp-alexa-na.amazon.com

Personally I use PiHole to block stuff like this.

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17 Aug 2021 19:20 #3 by edinburgh
Replied by edinburgh on topic Re: Vigor2860 router - Block Alexa
Can't believe that TVs come with Alexa as standard now. O tempora, o mores!

Is not possible to switch Alexa off in the TV's settings? I thought there would be such an option.

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18 Aug 2021 12:38 #4 by piste basher
Replied by piste basher on topic Re: Vigor2860 router - Block Alexa
My Sony A1 is a few years old now - it can be controlled by Alexa devices if I download the app and set it to be so controlled, but does not have it built in. I think it can also be controlled by voice from its own remote, which would seem to make Alexa redundant, but I've not got round to trying that...

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18 Aug 2021 12:42 #5 by pharcyder
Replied by pharcyder on topic Re: Vigor2860 router - Block Alexa
I bought a new Samsung QLED TV last month. It had Samsung's Bixby, Alexa and Google assistant all baked in and addressable by voice from the TV remote. All kinds of nope.

I use a very specific PiHole Blocklist to stop all this calling home. A more elegant way to block these services than Firewalling off a bunch of outbound ports in my opinion.

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