Your smart TV could be spying on you, FBI warns

Your smart TV could be spying on you, FBI warns

In this decade, Smart TVs are the ‘in thing’ and they are becoming increasingly affordable by the day which means that more people can acquire the devices.

They may provide internet connectivity for users to stream their favorite shows but could also be dangerous, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has warned.

”An FBI filed office is warning that “smart TVs” — televisions equipped with internet streaming and facial recognition capabilities — may be vulnerable to intrusion,” CNN reports.

Matt Trait,  a cyber security expert, says to enable internet access the TVs use complex software including integrated sensors such as microphones.

These provisions unfortunately can also be hacked into by people with ill intentions allowing them to access and control your device.

The FBI warns that such access may be put the user at risk as criminals could stalk you remotely using the inbuilt cameras and microphones.

To prevent this from happening, it is advised that users be familiar with the security settings devices and more so customizing the passwords set by manufacturers to control access.

Experts also advice users to turn off the inbuilt cameras and microphones where possible or covering the camera to give the snoopers a blackout.

It would also help to install updates rolled out by manufacturers to keep the hackers at bay or disconnect the device from your WiFi network.

 

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cyberstalking FBI Smart TVs

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