Not only are smart TVs equipped with microphones to interpret your “Hey Alexa,” type commands, but they also have access to your home’s internet either via a cable or wirelessly.

The danger comes whenever someone else might be snooping or listening in on your conversations. Hackers only keep getting smarter, and TV security just hasn’t kept up.

How can they listen in?

When a hacker gains access to your home network by exploiting a security flaw in a smart device’s software, they are able to remotely activate and record any microphones, cameras, or even access stored recording files. 

Once they have access, they can get almost anywhere in your home, or at least everywhere a smart device, computer, or phone is present.

How do I stop them?

Instead of going out and throwing away all your smart devices and reverting to the dark ages, all you actually need to do is to perform a digital safety audit.

Digital safety audit

For each device, determine first and foremost:

1. What network is it connected to (i.e. JohnDoe-wifi)?
2. Is it connected with a cable (ethernet) or wirelessly (wifi)?
3. What hardware does it use (camera, microphone, speakers, etc.)?
4. Where is it located in the home (high-traffic area, private area, outside, etc.)?

Once you’ve answered these questions, look at a simple fix or change for each of them:

1. Do I have another network the device could be connected to? It’s recommended to keep smart devices on a separate network than the rest of your primary devices (computers and phones).
2. If they’re connected via wifi, then simply sign the device into that new network. If it’s connected with a cable, you may not have this same luxury, so consider switching them to wireless or physically plugging the cable into a different router.
3. If any of the hardware is not something you want it to have access to you can easily cover a camera, but it may not be so easy to disconnect a microphone. Plus, tampering with the device’s electronics will more than likely cause it to error out and is not recommended for non-professionals.
4. Is the device’s scope, access, and toolkit the right match for the area you’ve determined? For example, you may not want a camera in a bedroom or bathroom, but one on your doorbell makes sense. If something doesn’t match, be sure to move it or consider swapping it out for another option.

Update your device’s firmware

Ensuring your devices are up-to-date with the latest firmware security is the single best thing you can do if you’ve determined you’d like it to remain plugged in and operable.

To do this, you’ll want to visit the manufacturer’s website, or consult the owner’s manual. Either of those will give you the best bet at updating it with as little hassle as possible.

In a pinch, you can also turn to an internet search, just be mindful that the further you stray from the device’s manufacturer, the greater risk you run of finding incorrect (or even damaging) information or steps. The worst-case scenario is “bricking” your device and rendering it inoperable.

Why this matters

If you fail to take steps to lock-down a smart TV or another smart device, you run the risk of giving hackers, predators, and other cybercriminals access to places in your home you would rather them not have.

At iDefend, we recommend performing a digital safety audit yourself or having one of our expert technicians help you perform one remotely.

If you want to know what smart protection features are included in your plan, or to see any viable upgrade options to obtain this coverage, all you need to do is log in to your iDefend account and navigate over to the Smart Devices section in your security dashboard.