Smart televisions offer many amazing features, including exercise apps, entertainment apps, cameras and microphones. Despite these features, a Smart TV is still connected to the internet, which is prone to it getting hacked. Reasonably so, those who purchase and use Smart TVs often worry if this is true or not. So, can my Samsung TV be hacked?

As with most technological devices, your Samsung TV can unfortunately be hacked. There are some warning signs to look out for if you think your Samsung TV has been hacked, as well as some ways to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Hackers are able to temper with your TV by changing settings, using the camera of the TV to spy on you as well as listen to conversations with the microphone inputted in it. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know on your Samsung TV being hacked, and more.

How Do I Know My Smart TV is Being Hacked?

There are many ways to identify if your Smart TV is being hacked. Although there are some indicators that can be tricky and make owners think their TV is being hacked, like your Smart TV lagging or suddenly turning off. If you feel your Smart TV has been tampered with by an outside force, please call the company’s customer care. 

These are some warning signs that show your Samsung TV has been hacked:

  • Volume malfunction Apps that have not been used are seen to be viewedApps randomly being downloadedChanging of programmers

These precautions can be overwhelming for people considering buying a Smart TV. With that said, it does not mean you should not consider getting one or stick to a traditional TV; you just have to practice ways to prevent these incidents from happening and take control of your Smart TV. If your TV has already been hacked, take a look at our article, “How to Jailbreak a Samsung TV”

How Do I Prevent My Smart TV from Being Hacked?

Like laptops and phones, Smart TVs can be manipulated by hackers. This is because, as with every other device, Smart TVs require internet-connection to work, which gives invasive users a platform for hijacking.

Although hacking has been a worldwide problem for people and their technological devices, there are many means to prevent your Smart TV from being hacked.

Read Agreement Policies Carefully

Setting up your Smart TV is the first thing one would do after purchase, before agreeing to terms and conditions and reading the policy well, of course. This is where the company gives you terms of agreement on the device you have bought and how your information can be protected and private.

If you do not read the policies well, you are likely to unknowingly give the company rights to your privacy and information.

Opt for Wired Connection

Although using WI-FI to back your Samsung TV might seem safe, it is most easy for hackers to access your device through. Wired connections are not as easy to access your device through for hackers due to the fact that your internet is only accessible with the physical cable, unlike WI-FI, which has its connection broadcasted.

Ensure Your Router Is Safe

When connecting your Smart TV to the internet, always ensure that the router being used is protected. This avoids making a cesspool for hackers because the router you’d be using is under a highly-secured policy.

These are ways to help make your router safe and secure:

  • Buy a suitable routerTurn on automatic update. It improves the security whenever it updates.Use a strong passwordUse WAP3

 Now, let’s take a look at the next way to keep your TV safe.

Update Your TV Frequently

You know how your phone always gives you a notification before updating your phone? These updates give new cool features, easier ways to access apps, and strengthens your security to prevent hacking or viruses.

That’s exactly how Smart TVs and other devices function with updates. Updating your Smart TV frequently will not just give new features, but it would also help secure your TV to avoid hackers and especially viruses.

Remembering to update your TV every time the device gives you a notification can be quite exhausting. Instead, you can turn on automatic updates. This method of updating is very easy and less time-consuming for you. The TV would begin an update whenever it is needed and you are able to schedule a time to avoid any interruptions to your programs.

Download Trusted Apps

Unsecure apps can allow hackers to take control of your TV. There are some apps that are already manufactured in your TV, but that does not mean you are not able to download apps. Downloading apps to your TV could be perilous if you download it from an unsecure source.

Always download your apps from a trusted and safe source, because other sources might be a trap for users to allow hackers access to anything with that app. Also, the site in which you downloaded the app can have a virus which damages the data on your TV, like pictures, game saves music, and more.

Check Camera and Microphone

One common feature in most Smart TVs is the camera and microphone. Gamers and business workers from home benefit from these features, giving them the access to communication with friends and peers. As beneficial as the camera and microphone are, they can be very risky and dangerous to the owners.

Most Smart TVs give you the ability to turn off or turn on the camera and the microphone. This is a way to stop hackers from spying on you through the installed cameras. If your Smart TV does not have the settings to turn off the camera, you can use a strip of black tape to cover the camera.

Is It Possible for Smart TVs to Get a Virus?

In 2019, Samsung tweeted a reminder to owners of their Smart TVs to run virus scans occasionally. 

Samsung clarified it is possible for their smart TVs to catch a virus. However, the possibility of a Smart TV getting a virus is extremely low. The only way Smart TVs are prone to getting a virus is by downloading apps on untrusted sites.

Click here to see how you can check if your Smart TV has a virus.