We, as the human race, have seen great strides being taken place in technological advancements. From smart TVs to smartwatches that aim to make us healthy by informing us of our daily step count, we have seen it all. And with the ongoing developments, it’s no doubt that we are going to see so much more! However, with such great strides, comes great responsibilities; although smart TVs tend to make our lives easier, they can also contribute to making our lives difficult at times. Let’s learn ‘How to tell if your Smart TV has been hacked?’.
What are Smart TVs?
Before we address your query, let’s have a firm grasp of what the term ‘smart TV’ means. Smart TVs, as the name suggests, act smart and allow you to access, manage, and view online and network-based media content, without relying on any additional box. Smart TVs access such media by merely being connected to the same wi-fi network that you use to connect your other devices. Once you connect your Smart TV and turn it on, it usually asks you to log in. Further, to view a channel of your choice, you simply have to click on it, and enjoy!
Can a Smart TV be hacked?
With increasing breaches of cybersecurity, one needs to keep in mind the precautions to keep their devices protected from hackers at all costs. Smart TVs are designed in a vulnerable way so that a hacker can easily hack them, without giving it a second thought. However, as owners of smart TVs, we need to learn about the various ways through which we can keep our devices safe!
Although hackers cannot get your credit card information, however, it is a deeply unsettling thought that while you have paid for the subscription from your pocket, someone else gets to take full advantage of something that you paid for. A hacker can potentially change the channels you wish to view, raise or lower the volume, and even turn on the microphone or camera of your smart TV. All of these contribute to a major breach of privacy and should not be ignored.
How to tell if your smart TV has been hacked?
It is one thing to realize your smart TV has been hacked and be vexed about it; however, it is worse if you have no idea that your device has been hacked and that you need to make a move to protect it. Therefore, to help you avoid the latter embarrassing incident, we have jotted down the ways through which you can easily comprehend whether your device has been hacked or not:
- If your device suddenly gets weird pop-ups, you might want to consider that your smart TV has been hacked.
- Another way to find out is if you find your microphone or camera being turned on and off of their own accord.
- If you find the volume of your device is increased or lowered without you budging, then it’s time to stop being afraid of ghosts and start considering that a hacker might be at play here.
- If, after all these incidents, you want to be perfectly sure, you can check your hard drive folders and look for weird webcam video files that you did not save on your own.
- If you simply think that your smart TV has been turned off, but also have this thought at the back of your mind that your device might be hacked, then check your internet service provider. You can easily find out unauthorized charges on your credit card.
- Another thing to keep in mind is to check the windows event viewer app to look for any unfamiliar remote access.
- Hackers usually inflict financial problems your way, so one thing to check is your credit card. Make sure that no unnecessary charges have been asked from you.
Now that we’ve enlightened you on ways that a hacker might appear in front of you, we hope you take all the necessary precautions to avoid such situations. However, the vulnerable design of Smart TVs has made it quite easy for hackers to hack into your system.
How to protect your Smart TV?
When it comes to avoiding your smart TV from getting hacked, these are the steps that you should bear in mind:
- If you have a Samsung Smart TV, you can make things easier for yourself by simply not using the remote app.
- If you are completely sure that your device has been hacked, you can disable your wi-fi connection entirely and then connect it to a separate streaming device.
- You may not like the third option, but the best thing to do is not buy a smart TV. Instead, you can buy a regular TV. As for viewing the OTT platforms, you can stream your favorite movies easily on your laptop!
Conclusion
The fact that our technology is advancing day by day is something that, no doubt, needs to be celebrated. However, as conscious consumers, we have to have our privacy in our hands! The vulnerable design of Smart TVs needs to be changed, and we, as enlightened consumers, must demand the same. Nevertheless, if you already own a Smart TV, you must use it judiciously, looking for signs whether it is hacked or not. Keeping in mind the various advice mentioned above, we hope you have a get experience of using a Smart TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Smart TV?
Smart TVs offer users a plethora of options- from viewing their favorite channels to streaming the OTT platforms on the device, Smart TVs provide it all.
- Can a Smart TV be easily hacked?
Yes, it is quite easy for your Smart TV to be hacked.
- Can I connect my Smart TV with wi-fi?
Yes, you can connect your device with wi-fi.
