SAMSUNG has warned its smart TV customers that they should be checking the devices for malware and viruses on a regular basis in a now deleted tweet.
The safety advice was issued for owners of Samsung’s QLED-branded TVs and some critics think the tweet was deleted because it made a case against not owning a smart TV.
The tweet stated: “Prevent malicious software attacks on your TV by scanning for viruses on your TV every few weeks.”
Samsung stressed that checking a QLED TV for viruses is just as important as scanning a computer for malware as they both can be connected to the WiFi.
QLED TVs are said to provide a wider display and more accurate colour than other televisions and can be used without WiFi.
However, smart TVs are designed to use your home WiFi network to enable streaming and other services, like Netflix.
Hackers can use your WiFi to hack into your TV hardware connection and could attempt to collect data like passwords and what you watch.
The Samsung smart TVs have in-built virus checking software that users can activate manually but this is a lengthy process as it involves over a dozen remote control commands.
Some critics are arguing that the TVs should just automatically update their virus software every few weeks because users might forget to or be put off by the laborious process.
The now deleted “how-to” video on the Samsung Support USA Twitter account did show customers exactly how to go through the virus checking process.
There doesn’t appear to be any specific threat against smart TVs at this time.
Here's what the company recommends...
In other news, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 ‘will be released on August 25’ – just two weeks before Apple’s secret ‘iPhone 11’.
The new phone might also have no buttons or headphone jack.
And, Samsung recently invented a bizarre “rollable smartphone” that can double in height.
Do you own a smart TV? Let us know in the comments…
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