Prevent people casting to chromecast

[Djee]

Hi

I travel a lot and bring my chromecast 4 with me to hook up to the TV.  Is there any way of preventing the whole hotel to try and cast their **bleep** to my chromecast.  It's really annoying not being able to watch anything for more than 5min before someone casts a YouTube video, or anything else to the tv

Tnx

[Cathal_S]

Hi Djee,

Myself and other users have successfully used a travel router in these situations. You connect the travel router to the public network and then create a secure, private WiFi network with the travel router.

[Djee]

Hi Cathal.

Tnx for the reply. 

I'm aware of that option, but also find it kinda absurd that this is the only option. I just can't see any downsides to having an option of hiding the chromecast on a public network, or at least an option preventing randoms to cast stuff to your chromecast. Adding a travel router also means needing an additional power outlet.  All just seems so unnecessary.

Is there no one at Google that can see that this is an issue?

Tnx

[Cathal_S]

Hi again,

Google design their products for easy use within a secure, private home WiFi network and not public network's or captive portals.

As this is a community forum supported by other users and community specialist's the best way of getting your thoughts, feedback or feature requests to the people that can make changes is by submitting feedback as detailed within the link below.

Feedback:
https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7071494

Edit: I always use a travel router (that can run for over a week on my portable battery pack) for the additional security it provides.

[Djee]

Thanx again Cathal

I can see that point as a default setting.  But as you pointed out, alot of users travel with a router to get around this problem. I'm not a programmer but would imagine that a setting like this would take less then a couple of minutes to implement,given there is already an option to prevent people controlling your chromecast.

I'll address my issue at the link you referred. 

Tnx agan

[Cathal_S]

I can understand your frustrations especially with others controlling your Chromecast. The option to disable 'cast media notifications' just disables the Chromecast from showing up on mobile devices while something is being cast.

Actually preventing others on the same network from scanning the network and finding and communicating with other devices is not something that can easily be applied to individual devices.

Usually the only option is to enable AP isolation (access point isolation) that would prevent any devices on the network from communicating with each other. This would also stop your own mobile device casting to your own Chromecast.

It's more about network communication protocols restrictions than actually applying a setting within the app.

[Djee]

I see.

How about then, you get a notification on your phone(same user log in as the chromecast)  or the chromecast itself. That:" X person is trying to cast X item, do you consent?"

Would that be an option? 

[Cathal_S]

Yes that might be an option that could be implemented using software.

But anyone also on the same network with easily found (YouTube videos) and a cheap network card/dongle can also deactivate other network devices and create a lot more security issues than it's worth for a company like Google.

It makes a lot more sense to say that the devices should be used on a private, secure home WiFi network.

Edit: That way Google isn't responsible for any security concerns on a public network. And the devices are officially sold as being used for/with Google Home and not enterprise environments.

[JenniferV]

Hi folks,

I appreciate your help here, Cathal_S.

Djee, we hope that sheds some light. Feel free to reach back if you have other questions and concerns.

Regards,

Jennifer

[JenniferV]

Hello Djee,

I wanted to check if you still need help or have other questions and concerns. Feel free to let me know if you do.

Best,

Jennifer

[JenniferV]

Hey there,

I haven’t heard from you in a while so I'll be locking this thread if there’s no update within 24 hours. If you need help in the future, please feel free to start a new thread and we'll be happy to help.

Thanks,

Jennifer