Samsung security recall calls for lack of Samsung smart TV

Samsung reminded owners of smart TVs that they should regularly search for malware using its built-in antivirus software. "Prevent malware attacks on your TV by scanning for viruses on your TV every few weeks" tweet from the company's US support account reads with a video attachment that shows the painstaking process.

The obvious question is why, in the world, Samsung does not automate this process. When so many people do not even know how to disable motion smoothing, what are the chances that they care about safety practices? It also illustrates how some smart TVs can be stupid.

It is not known if the tweet was published in response to a recent threat. No security vulnerabilities have been reported recently for Samsung's smart TVs, but in 2017, WikiLeaks revealed that the CIA had developed a software called "Weeping Angel", capable of turning Samsung's smart TVs into a device. listening. Less than a month later, a security researcher discovered 40 "zero-day" vulnerabilities in Samsung's smart TV operating system, Tizen. At that time, Samsung published a blog post detailing the security features of its TVs, including its ability to detect malicious code on both its platform and applications.

Virus scans are a reminder of how annoying modern smart TVs can be. Of course, they have virtually all integrated sun streaming applications, and Samsung models can even be used to stream games from a local PC. But they also contain microphones that can pose a risk to privacy and are entrusted with the details of the credit card for the purchase of video content on demand. Even when everything works as intended by the manufacturer, it can be an additional way to run ads in front of you, on your home screen, or even, in some cases, directly in your own video content.

Samsung's small PSA on the search for "malware virus" (eh hem) could be a good security practice on a Samsung Smart TV, but it's also a great reminder of why you might not want to not be buying one.