Security

We give some tips to keep these devices safe

Ramón Peco

The television, which was long known as the dumb box, in recent years has been called “smart”. This is because over time smart televisions, the 'smart tv', have become devices that have a lot to do with a computer or a mobile phone.

They have all the characteristics of one of these devices, and are also exposed to threats by being connected to the Internet, using applications, and being able to connect peripherals such as USB flash drives or hard drives. In fact, we have now learned that Samsung, through a tweet, mysteriously deleted a few hours after it was published, recommended tracking its QLed Smart TVs with internal security software every “few weeks”.

It is likely that the tweet was removed to avoid causing alarm among users. But the truth is that it opens the debate on the security of smart televisions, which are included among the devices of the so-called Internet of Things. A group of devices that security experts put in the spotlight due to their few protection measures.

One of the main things that affects smart TVs is the disparity of operating systems they use. Although the majority are three: Android TV, used in various brands; Tizen, used in Samsung TVs; and LG WebOS, which is typical of LG televisions.

In case anyone is wondering, there are antivirus for smart TVs. One example is a version of McAfee antivirus that comes pre-installed on some Samsung TVs running Tizen OS in the form of an app. Although in the famous Samsung tweet we understand that it refers to a different software installed in the inputs of the company's Qled televisions.

For Android TV there is the antivirus ESET Smart TV Security, downloadable from the Play Store of the television. Actually, this antivirus with its license allows you to protect different Android devices. We have contacted this company for some advice on the security of smart TVs.

Josep Albors, head of research and awareness at ESET Spain, points out these measures: "We must bear in mind that, currently, a Smart TV does not differ too much from other everyday devices such as smartphones or tablets . That is why we must apply similar security measures, especially when it comes to downloading and installing applications (always checking that they are legitimate), executing files from removable media such as flash drives or connecting to secure WiFi networks”.

Precisely the security of the network is clearly one of the most important things that we must take into account. For that, it is essential, in addition to not connecting our television to WiFi networks that do not offer us security, to reinforce that of our home. For this, it is very important to have our router updated, establish a strong password, and if possible have different WiFi networks, so that our television is connected to one that is different from that of other devices so that they do not communicate with each other. .

When asking this specialist what function an antivirus such as the one his company sells can fulfill, he answers that “our ESET Smart TV Security solution provides protection against threats that can affect a Smart TV, including the dreaded ransomware and analyzes the files that are tried to be inserted through a USB port, all this in a free version that is offered. We also have a premium version that allows antiphishing protection and the possibility of scheduling periodic analysis”.

In the event that we have televisions with other operating systems than Android TV, it is advisable after purchasing it to read its manual or check the manufacturer's technical assistance website for security measures it incorporates. Well, these can be activated by default or have the user activate them. Finally, it is very important to update the firmware of the device, the internal software that controls it. Well, with these updates, the manufacturer can eliminate threats to our security.

Smart TVs are devices included in the so-called Internet of Things