Secure Your Smart TV
Your next steps
1) Create strong passwords.
Make sure to have long, unique passwords for your smart TV account, WiFi network, and router. Also set up multifactor authentication when possible.
2) Use a modern, secure WiFi router.
Whether you have a single router or a mesh network, make sure that any remote administration features are turned off, that you’ve changed the default password, and that you regularly install software updates or patches. Ideally, you should have a router that updates automatically. Models that do well in Consumer Reports’ testing include the Asus EMB68 AX7800, Asus ZenWifi AX3000 Hybrid, and Linksys Velop Pro 6E Mesh System.
3) Install updates for your TV, if you’re prompted.
Firmware may get updated automatically, but don’t ignore any pop-ups or reminders to update any applications.
4) Adjust your Smart TV's privacy settings.
TVs that connect to the internet use a technology called automatic content recognition, or ACR, to collect data about what you watch. The information can be shared with data brokers and used to target ads to you on your phone and laptop, as well as your TV. You can restrict this data collection, but the process is tricky. TV companies use a variety of names for ACR, and the controls can be hard to find. Follow the instructions at the link below to turn off ACR and some other kinds of data collection for your set. (The only way to stop all data collection is to disconnect the set from the internet—but then it won’t provide any smart TV features.)
How to Turn Off Smart TV Snooping FeaturesWhy is this important?
- Securing your WiFi network, router, and smart TV can prevent an attacker from taking over your home network by exploiting known security vulnerabilities.
- Smart TVs use a technology called automatic content recognition, or ACR, to collect data about what you watch. You can’t stop all data collection without disconnecting the set from the internet, but you can turn off ACR to reduce the amount of data collected by the TV manufacturer, and potentially shared with advertisers and other outside companies.
Learn more
- We Asked TV Owners to Find Their Privacy Settings. Here’s What Happened.
Consumer Reports
- How to Boost Router Security
Consumer Reports
