*any* Android device on my Wifi network can access the Chromecast, is this normal?

[Kiersten_Kress]

I have 5 Android devices in my home. Galaxy Note 2(Verizon), Galaxy Note 2(T-Mobile),
Galaxy Note 2(int'l unlocked), Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 tablet, Galaxy Nexus(Verizon).

I bought the Chromecast at the local Best Buy store. After I plugged it in, I used my
Galaxy Note 2(Verizon) to set everything up. Played with it for a while.

Then I tried it with the other 4 Android devices. All I had to do was download the
Chromecast app and any one of them could access the Chromecast. I did not
need to enter any addition setting. I realize this is because all 5 Android devices,
plus the Chromecase, are all connected to the same Wifi network.

This doesn't seem like a big issue, since they are all in my home, but what if I
plug the Chromecast in a public place? For example, hotel TV, office TV, etc...

 

[Phil Nickinson]

Maybe you're syncing the app data through your Google account? Where do you live. I'll swing by and try with my phone.

 

[Kiersten_Kress]

Maybe you're syncing the app data through your Google account? Where do you live. I'll swing by and try with my phone.

no, I think it's because they are all on the same wifi network.... Each of my Android device is synced to a different Gmail email address.(don't tell Google that )

 

[vansmack]

Maybe you're syncing the app data through your Google account? Where do you live. I'll swing by and try with my phone.

The only way you can add songs to the queue at a house party would be if the same account were not needed.

I see this being a small problem for public places like a hotel, but the benefit far outweighs the concern.

 

[Andrew Martonik]

This is the intended operation of the Chromecast.

As Google explained at its event yesterday, the implication is that anyone in your house (and on your network) will have access to the Chromecast. You actually don't even need to have the Chromecast app installed on the phone to access it, you just have to be on the same network and have apps -- like GP Music or GP Movies & TV -- that can "cast" to the device.

Google is expecting that if you didn't want someone to be accessing your Chromecast that you wouldn't let them on your secure Wifi network in the first place. That's a pretty good assumption for home use and makes it dead simple to get multiple people using the Chromecast with little to no setup, but also throws a wrench into things in a public place. If you're planning to use the Chromecast on a public/unsecure Wifi network, I would expect that anyone with a device that is on the same network will have the ability to cast to it.

Until (and if) Google decides this is an issue and build some kind of "secure" way of restricting access to the Chromecast, your best way to go for something like a presentation in a public place would be to bring your own Wifi hotspot to connect both your phone/tablet/laptop and Chromecast to.

 

[Ry]

Maybe there should be a device where you could tap a phone or tablet to it to authenticate or grant access.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Kiersten_Kress]

This is the intended operation of the Chromecast.

I don't know why, but I just picturing somebody accidentally Chromecast the porn he (or she)
was reading on the Chrome browser to the office meeting room.... where dozens people
are shocked by images of naked bodies instead of spreadsheet presentation...

 

[anon(847090)]

I don't know why, but I just picturing somebody accidentally Chromecast the porn he (or she)
was reading on the Chrome browser to the office meeting room.... where dozens people
are shocked by images of naked bodies instead of spreadsheet presentation...

obviously this device is not intended for work but for home use.

 

[Kiersten_Kress]

obviously this device is not intended for work but for home use.

with hundreds of thousands of Chromecast dongles sold already, I'm sure a few dozen idiots will bring it to work and "accidentally" show NSFW stuff for all to see.

 

[bearda]

A simple password to access the device would be a useful feature. We use this on the AppleTVs set up in our conference rooms at work.

 

[Mikey47]

obviously this device is not intended for work but for home use.

Ok, how about blasting Porn to the parents bedroom instead of the basement TV?

 

[gabbott]

Ok, how about blasting Porn to the parents bedroom instead of the basement TV?

If it's a concern of the content put the chromecast on a separate network or be more careful.

Authentication schemes will complicate the user experience. This is a device designed for simplicity.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Mikey47]

If it's a concern of the content put the chromecast on a separate network or be more careful.

Authentication schemes will complicate the user experience. This is a device designed for simplicity.

Posted via Android Central App

Yep, I certainly understand better to keep it simple.

But one question regarding this. What happens if someone is casting something to the family room TV, and then someone messes up and instead of casting to the basement TV, they accidentally select the family room TV? (sorry would try this ouy, but only one of our three Chromecasts has arrived).

 

[ALCingularUser]

I can see the lack of security being a real problem on college campuses. Many students are going to buy Chromecasts, and many colleges provide students with one big, campus-wide wireless network. This is a recipe for problems, both accidental and intentional.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[prissysox]

If I understand things correctly the Chromecast doesn't work on wifi networks setup to isolate users. This may complicate using on public/retail/campus wifi

Sent from my HTC One using AC Forums mobile app

 

[bearda]

If I understand things correctly the Chromecast doesn't work on wifi networks setup to isolate users. This may complicate using on public/retail/campus wifi

Sent from my HTC One using AC Forums mobile app

Depends on how the network is setup. If they're filtering all broadcast traffic it isn't going to work at all. Although it would make sense in most cases, I wouldn't count on it.

 

[enflate]

The Chromecasts will have unique names on the network, and you can rename them at will. But yes, if somebody does choose the wrong one to cast to it will play in the wrong room, so name them clearly and wisely.