Were you lucky enough to score a big-screen Smart TV on Black Friday? Well, the FBI wants you to know that you purchased a highly insecure device and to prep yourself for potential eavesdropping from app developers and manufacturers, who have outfitted many of their sets with cameras and microphones. Owners are also being warned of hacking attempts, whereby Smart TVs are used as gateways into routers and other connected devices.
A bad cyber actor may not be able to access your locked-down computer directly, but it is possible that your unsecured TV can give him or her an easy way in the backdoor through your router. Hackers can also take control of your unsecured TV. 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.