FBI Warns Black Friday Smart TV Buyers on the Dangers of Hacking
The Black Friday Deals of different gadgets and devices from different online retail shops began last Nov. 22 and shoppers from all over the country purchased thousands of these discounted products. Different companies even offered huge discounts on their Smart TV products as well. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend more than $730 billion this holiday season.
One of the best selling products in this year's Black Friday Deals is the Smart TV. However, in an article published by Fox News, the FBI warns Smart TV buyers.
It can be noticed that most of the products on sale during the Black Friday Deals are electronic devices. Meanwhile, the FBI in Oregon found that there are some glitches in some of the Smart TVs sold in the market. New owners of internet-connected TV must be cautious because Smart TV can possibly be hacked. Recently the FBI released some tips on how to secure your Smart TV against malicious hackers.
If you own a Smart TV that has a built-in camera and uses it to video chat with your family and friends then you need to be more cautious. The built-in camera can be used by hackers to record your video call and some of your activities inside your house without your knowledge.
The FBI warned that once your Smart TV is hacked, hackers will have access to spy on you in the privacy your of your own home. They can also access controls for the channel, the volume, and the worst of all they can play inappropriate videos.
The FBI added that the hackers using the Smart TV can also hack some of your devices such as phones or any devices that are connected to the internet as a backdoor. This is indeed very alarming because they could access your private files.
Here are some recommendations from the FBI to keep your Smart TV away from hackers:
- Owners of Smart TVs should learn how to search the exact model number of the TV and how to control its microphone, volume, channels, and other features. In this way, you will know if someone is hacking your Smart TV if there are some irregularities in your Smart TV.
- Security settings are important. Make sure that you know how to turn off the camera and microphone of the Smart TV before purchasing one. If there is no Turn Off option for camera and volume, it is better for you to consider some brands.
- If you really love the Smart TV but its camera cannot be turned off, then better prepare a black tape. Cover the camera once it is not used.
- Check also if the manufacturer can update the features of the Smart TV with strong security patches.
- Most of all, check the privacy policy of the manufacturer. If possible ask them how to they collect the data, where do they store it, and what they do after they collect it.
It is very important to remember that your utmost priority in buying Smart TV is your security. Remember, that anyone can be a victim of hackers. And once they hacked your device, your private photos, video calls might be accessed and shared without your knowledge.
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