Smart TV Story

Rajesh and Reema is a couple living in the high locality of Surat. 10 years had passed for their marriage. Rajesh had an addiction of ​​watching porn movies on the smart TV they had. That is why he had kept the TV in his bedroom. Along with watching porn movies, Rajesh sometimes used to visit porn websites too, through that TV. One night when he was watching a video on a similar site, he was shocked. His private intimate moments with Reema were filmed in that video.

Rajesh showed that video to Reema. Reema collapsed. They both didn't know what to do. There was fear of defamation if he went to the police. Rajesh told this to his close friend, Sudhir. He asked him to seek help from a cyber security expert.

Ankit Desai is a famous cyber security expert in Surat. After meeting him, Rajesh explained all the details. Ankit first observed Rajesh's bedroom completely. He suspected that there would be a spy camera, but nothing came of it. Ankit glanced with the thought and then looked at the smart TV in Rajesh's bedroom.

He asked Rajesh how he uses his smart TV. Rajesh told him that he uses it for surfing and watching porn. Ankit checked all the TV settings, browsing history, apps installed on it etc. and he came to a conclusion.

While watching porn sites on smart TV, a malicious link to porn video (containing malware (there are more such links on such sites)) would have been clicked by Rajesh and malware infected the smart TV. The malware seized his camera and microphone and recorded the scenes in the bedroom as the TV might be power on.

Recorded clip was uploaded to that site as smart TV is connected to internet via Wi-Fi. This may happen not just with smart TVs, but also with any smart device connected to the Internet. Once malware hits your smart device, it can take control of your data, camera, microphone, and can misuse it.

Ankit contacted the admin of the respective site and requested to remove the clip. But he warned Rajesh about the possibility that the clip might have been downloaded by someone and went viral before removing.

Rajesh and Reema both are still in the shadow of fear and guilt.

Here are some things you need to keep in mind to prevent smart TVs from being hacked: 

Use the Settings menu and disable the camera and microphone when not needed or placing black tape over it.

Update the TV's system software from time to time, many smart TVs come with antivirus and antimalware (such as Samsung's Smart Security), you need to keep these in-built antivirus security updated.

Make use of the apps and remote control that come with the TV.

Don't use unnecessary, unrecognized third-party apps.

Use secured Wi-Fi.

 

The main thing is if you are not very familiar with technology, then it is better to stay away from smart TV. The traditional TV is enough for you.