The FBI’s advice on smart TVs
Before the holiday shopping season, the FBI warned about smart TV cameras and microphones. Here’s the short version.
Last week, before Black Friday, the FBI’s Portland office published advice on smart TVs. Many have microphones and cameras, and they connect to the internet. A TV with weak security can be a way into your home network, and in the worst case someone could watch or listen.
The advice, shortened:
- Know what your TV has: search the model number for “camera” and “microphone”.
- Change default passwords and turn off features you don’t use.
- Cover the camera if you can’t turn it off. The FBI suggests black tape.
- Install updates, and check whether the maker still releases them.
- Read the privacy policy to see what data is collected about what you watch.
I’d add one: put smart TVs and other devices on a separate guest network, away from your laptops.