Your Smart TV May Be “Too Smart”
If you are now the proud owner of a smart TV, or plan on buying one for Christmas the FBI wants you to know a few things.
Smart TVs are television sets but with an internet connection. With the advent and popularity of streaming services, a lot of us saw internet-connected televisions as a cord-cutter's dream. But like anything that connects to the internet, it opens vulnerabilities to hackers.
"Beyond the risk that your TV manufacturer and app developers may be listening and watching you, that television can also be a gateway for hackers to come into your home. A bad cyber actor may not be able to access your locked-down computer directly, but it is possible that your unsecured TV can give him or her an easy way in the backdoor through your router," wrote the FBI.
The FBI warned that hackers can take control of your unsecured smart TV and in worst cases, take control of the camera and microphone to watch and listen in.
According to some reports the biggest exploits targeting smart TVs in recent years were developed by the Central Intelligence Agency, but were stolen.
The FBI recommends placing black tape over an unused smart TV camera, keeping your smart TV up-to-date with the latest patches and fixes, and to read the privacy policy to better understand what your smart TV is capable of.
As convenient as it might be, the most secure smart TV might be one that isn't connected to the internet at all.