We are going to review some of the signs of abnormal operation of a Smart TV that could indicate that you have suffered some type of attack and a hacker has slipped into your television.
While smart TVs have many advantages, they also have a significant disadvantage: they can be hacked. In fact, hackers have recently targeted Smart TV owners, especially since few people know that they need to take measures to protect the cybersecurity of their televisions. If you have noticed any unusual activity on your TV and have begun to wonder what could be happening, we are going to give you the guidelines so that you know if it has been hacked.
False shutdown of your Smart TV
One of the ways to know if they are remotely controlling your Smart TV is that it does not turn off completely. This hack is called Weeping Angel and its name apparently comes from the infamous Doctor Who characters. When installed, this hack turns off the backlight of your TV, making the screen appear blank. It actually still works, giving hackers access to your TV without you even knowing, and they can even parasitize your TV’s microphone and camera. This can allow them to control you in a similar way to laptops and may even blackmail you if they ever catch something out of the ordinary for which they demand ransom.
A good way to tell if someone installed Weeping Angel on your TV is to check if the power LED stays on even when the TV is “off” and not red like it stays on when you turn it off from the remote. If so, your TV may have been hacked and it’s a good idea to cover up your cameras (if you have them) and take appropriate cybersecurity measures.
Smart TV apparently works by itself
Your Smart TV should only respond to your commands, but if it seems to have a mind of its own lately, worry. There are examples like sudden volume changes, settings changes, and once again, access to the goodie that can be the camera and microphone.
If the hacker becomes aware of his presence and tries to contact you, immediately disconnect your TV from the power, as the hacker cannot gain access when it is not connected to the power. Then, consult a cybersecurity technician to find out the next steps to take and get rid of the new tenant of your Smart TV.
Application changes
New apps and files appearing out of nowhere are a sign that your smart TV may have been hacked and is being accessed remotely. That being said, you should avoid opening any unknown files you come across, as they could contain malware.
It’s not uncommon for hackers to hack smart TVs so they can use your streaming service account to watch certain shows. In some cases, they may even sell your account information to people who want to view subscription-based platforms without paying the monthly fee. Hackers frequently lock people out of their accounts once they’ve been hacked, changing the password and possibly even email. This allows them to take full control of that account and prevents them from changing your password or closing your account. This can go further, being able to find and use the details of your credit card with which you pay for the subscription.