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And we can't forget LG. In , LG wasn't sure if its smart TVs were spying on you or not. I think we can safely assume it was spying. On the Vizio, which is the most troubling since it's the only company -- that we know of -- that spies by default, you can turn off Smart Interactivity by following these steps from your TV. You see I really don't trust any of the TV vendors. The more data they can get about you, the better for their bottom line.
And, come on, LG -- you didn't know if you were sucking data from your customers? Even if you assume the TV vendors care about protecting their customers' data, they don't have the necessary security and network chops to protect your data.
TV companies may be experts making great displays, but they're not networking or security pros. That sounds good. What it was actually sending over this port was a mess made up of XML, binary packets, and some raw, unencrypted data.
I'm no hacker, but I could crack that. When the news broke that intelligence agencies were hacking smart TVs, that really wasn't news.
It would've been news if they hadn't cracked such easy targets. Lee showed 10 different vulnerabilities that would allow him to get a root shell on the device. Yes, you see this particular TV ran all of its applications as root. Well, for starters, don't buy smart TVs in the first place. Sure, they can have security holes as well, but at least they're designed by people with a clue about security and network engineering.
What's that? You already have a smart TV? Bite the bullet, disconnect it from the internet, and turn it into a dumb TV. First, check to see if your TV will let you disconnect from your Wi-Fi network. If it won't, reset it to its factory default setting. When it turns on again and goes through its setup routine, don't give it your Wi-Fi password. If you're using Ethernet, do the same thing -- except this time, you simply don't plug it into your network.
Don't want to go that far? Then go deep through your TV's list of commands and turn off anything that indicates it's listening to you or sending data back to its home company.
Camera Resolution. Once done, tap on the subject to focus and a light green box will identify and track the subject selected. Minimum Purchase:. Your TV might actually be listening to your conversations. Shop For:. Operation Success! Vendor Risk Management.
That may not work, but at least you'll have tried. And, if you think that's bad, just wait until you add more Internet of Things devices to your home. Are you going to be able to keep track of what your car is saying about your driving habits, or what your electrical use tells about when you're at home? Heck, what your health insurance provider thinks about the fact that you only use an IoT-enabled toothbrush once a day?
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I've lived on the internet for longer than many of you have been alive. I appreciate what it gives me, especially with television, but I choose to keep the TV vendors out of my personal life. I think you should too. Depending on the age of your device, this solution may only last so long. Eventually all that time plugged in may degrade the battery or make you feel the need for a dedicated camera solution.
Derek Walter is a freelance technology writer based in Northern California. Derek Walter.
Perch has a very simple setup process to get an old device up and running as a camera. You can also get push alerts when the camera goes offline or if movement is detected. Perch will send you a push alert when a camera turns off. Presence If you want something with a little more capability, check out Presence. Presence is a good option if you want a cross-platform solution for using a device as a spy cam.
AtHome talks to multiple devices Another good cross-platform alternative is AtHome. AtHome is a good choice for a cross-platform and cross-device setup. Trial and error is the key Anytime you dabble into a DIY project, the best advice is often to go with what works for your particular needs. We use our own invented, special algorithms to generate lists of the best brands and give them our own Scores to rank from 1st to 10th.
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