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How to figure out if your Smart TV has been hacked?

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We all remember the good old days when your TV could only be connected to the local cable. Of course, that is still possible, and unlike the old days, there are many more programs to watch on channels provided by cable TV and that too in HD. Thousands of cable providers are in the market, providing you with several offers to choose from. I recommend a cable provider like Spectrum because it is affordable deals, promotions, and has a no-contract policy. Of course, it would be best if you Protect Smart TV Hackers.

protect smart tv hackers

With the advancement in television technology, we now have smart TVs attached to the internet. With the rising number of streaming apps, it is no wonder almost everyone streams their favorite shows online. However, cable TV still has its appeal to the less tech-savvy population. 

Hackers

Like any other device with internet connectivity, smart TVs are also at the risk of being hacked. I’m not asking you to go back to the old TV and never look back….or forward in this case. However, it won’t hurt to be careful when connecting your TV to the internet.

You might also like: The Best TVs for 2021

Yes, I’m saying that your smart TV can be hacked, and you need to make sure that doesn’t happen unless you don’t mind some stranger watching your activity. Since smart TVs aren’t advanced enough to hinder hacker attacks, you need to make sure that your Wi-Fi network is secure so no one can access it without authorization. Also, keep an eye out for any unusual activity like channels or volume changing automatically or some video playing out of nowhere.

Viruses

Just like it’s recommended to have anti-virus software on your computer to keep viruses and malware at bay, it is also necessary to have internet security on your smart TV. Even though TV viruses are less common, the risk is still there. Samsung smart TVs now come with McAfee Security, but you should get internet security software to avoid unpleasant experiences if you have any other TV.

Keep your smart TV secure.

Like I said earlier, I’m not trying to break the bond between you and your smart TV, and I definitely don’t want you running back to bring your ‘dumb’ old TV home again and protect smart tv hackers.

We all know that any device that can be connected to the internet is at risk of intrusions. So what do we do? Yes, we secure it!

Here are a few ways to ensure you and your TV stay secure when browsing through entertainment over the internet:

  1. This is a bit of age-old advice, and for a good reason, using encryption and a strong password for your modem and router is your first line of defense.
  2. When you set up your smart TV, do not allow any data sharing. If you’ve not done so already, make sure you check the settings now and make them as restrictive as possible.
  3. Ethernet connection is a little less at risk of an intrusion than a wireless network. So if your TV has a LAN port, try to connect it to the internet with an ethernet cable instead of wirelessly.
  4. We know our computers and phones need regular system updates to stay on top of the latest threats and glitches. Likewise, smart TV manufacturers keep sending system updates, and you should make sure you keep your system updated.
  5. Your smart TV will come with basic apps pre-loaded, but obviously. You’ll want to add more to the bucket according to your needs. Just be very sure that you download these from a trusted source.
  6. Unless it’s your own USB device and you know exactly where it has been, do not hook it to your TV.
  7. If you’re not video chatting on your TV, it’s a good idea to turn off the voice feature and cover the camera.
  8. Last but not least, remember to run an anti-virus scan now and then to make sure everything looks good.

Yes, I get it; when you first got your smart TV, you didn’t think it would be as high maintenance as a computer. However, it is… and now you are hooked, so all you can do is su*k it up and get on with making it secure.

Would you like to read more about smart tv hackers-related articles? If so, we invite you to take a look at our other tech topics before you leave!

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