We have never relied on technology more than during the pandemic. For school, work, and socializing, our webcams have been used more than ever. However, they also make us vulnerable. The cameras on our laptops, phones, tablets, and even smart TV could be hacked by cybercriminals looking for trouble.
Hackers Can Look Through Your Smart TV
Many people have placed tape over the cameras on their phones and computers when they are not in use. But most don’t take the same precaution to their smart TV. However, smart TVs come with internet and facial recognition capabilities. Perks such as online streaming and programming suggestions based on the watcher have become a potential danger. [1]
“Next-gen smart TVs and devices run complex software, have Internet connections, and often have integrated sensors like microphones,” says Matt Tait, cybersecurity expert and former analyst at GCHQ, the British signals intelligence service. “These features enable things like internet streaming services and voice-commands, but can, unfortunately, be subverted by hackers if the device gets compromised.”
The official FBI statement from November 2019 warned smart TV owners about hackers. “At the low end of the risk spectrum, they can change channels, play with the volume, and show your kids inappropriate videos. In a worst-case scenario, they can turn on your bedroom TV’s camera and microphone and silently cyberstalk you.” [2]
Don’t think you are safe if the webcam light — which shows when the camera is on or not — is dark. Hackers disable the light before the cyberstalking so their victims are none-the-wiser. In fact, research has found that there are over 15,000 devices with cameras that are easily accessible to hackers. Therefore, it’s important to stay educated about our devices and how they function.
“The Threat is Real”
When asked about the pervasiveness of the risks of hacking through smart TVs, Joseph Carson, chief security scientist and Advisory CISO at privileged access management firm Thycotic, replied, “The threat is very real. When it is possible, a cybercriminal is going to take full advantage of it.”
Stephen Hyduchak, CEO of identity-verification service Aver, added that in 2018, a Chinese-based company produced technology found to have “back doors” that allowed hackers to easily steal the users’ data. “Many in the US government came out and immediately recommended a stop-use of all their products,” Hyduchak concluded. [3]
In June 2019, Samsung tweeted a reminder to scan smart TVs for viruses every few weeks to “prevent malicious software attacks.” The tweet was deleted after media backlash. [4]
The scary part of this activity is that most victims never realize they’ve been compromised. While there are instances of hackers capturing images for blackmail or creepy personal use, their motive is typically to gather information for profit. They attack corporate groups and similar programs to gather restricted information.
Cybercriminals may also attempt to trick people into believing they’ve been hacked. Countless spam emails accuse people of “inappropriate” webcam use with a fee to keep the information hidden. Be wary of such scams.
How to Keep Your Smart TV Safe
To keep your home safe from cybercriminals, learn about the security settings of your device, change the default network passwords, and know how to disable and enable cameras and microphones. If a smart TV can’t disable the camera, place a piece of black tape over it. Even Mark Zuckerberg covers his webcam and microphone. Also, install the software updates as they come up. [5]
“Generally, customers who keep their devices up to date won’t have too much to worry about,” Tait says. “But for people who are particularly worried, or who don’t want the new “smart” features, there is a simple solution to keep hackers out: unplug the device from your network.”
Here’s another tip. A device cannot be hacked when it’s off. However, most people don’t shut off their phones and computers at the end of the day. They keep them in sleep or hibernation mode, which can be accessed by a cybercriminal.
Carson offers another tip. “I would recommend that you always make sure you know what features are enabled on your smart TV that will create risk and then decide whether or not you need them.”
Fortunately, during a time when we must rely on technology for work, school, entertainment, and social interaction, there are ways to keep our homes safe.
References
- “That smart TV you just bought may be spying on you, FBI warns.” CNN. Josh Campbell. December 3, 2019
- “Oregon FBI Tech Tuesday: Securing Smart TVs.” FBI. November 26, 2019
- “How to Stop Smart TVs From Snooping on You.” PC Mag. Lance Whitney.April 27, 2020
- “FBI Warns That Your New Smart TV Could Be Used to Spy on You.” Futurism. Kristin Houser. December 2, 2019
- “Now More Than Ever You Need to Cover Phone And Laptop Cameras, Says Security Expert.” Science Alert. David Cook.April 19, 2020