Viruses in Smart TVs?? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

SAMIAM76 · 2012-05-09, 08:31 PM

Hey Everyone - I'm new to the game of home theatre - thought it was time to put aside my Sony Trinitron 32 INCH bubble TV and invest in real HD.

After lot's of research I settled on the Panasonic VT30. I Love it - literally difficult not to watch and get anyting else done.

Question 1
Anyways I have it hooked into the internet "wireless" and I'm wondering about all the viruses out there and can they come in and do any damage to the TV.

I have downloaded software into my Blu ray and PS3 etc and with VIERACAST content, access to Utube, ant the whole internet via PS3 - am I at risk to downloading a virus that can impact the TVs performance when surfing the web.

Question 2
Does anyone know who can calibrate these beasts, in Ottawa..and is it worth it?

SAMIAM76 · 2012-05-18, 05:24 PM

Can anyone respond to this - or direct me to a site that can?

ScaryBob · 2012-05-18, 06:01 PM

It's always possible that a virus can be created to infect TVs or any other "smart" device. It has happened to cell phones and electronic picture frames so TV infections are definitely possible. However, the likelihood of this happening to a TV is currently very low. (The picture frame incident happened at the manufacturer's site.) When streaming content from verified sources, the probability is extremely low. I would say that infecting the PS3 player is much more likely than the TV. Streaming from unverified sources, such as pirate sites or torrents, would increase the risk significantly but most viruses are targeted at PCs.

Munkdogg · 2012-05-24, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMIAM76

Can anyone respond to this - or direct me to a site that can?

An interesting article on the subject; http://www.infoworld.com/d/security/...-hacked-191013

2012-05-09, 08:31 PM	#1
SAMIAM76 Rookie Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2	Viruses in Smart TVs?? Hey Everyone - I'm new to the game of home theatre - thought it was time to put aside my Sony Trinitron 32 INCH bubble TV and invest in real HD. After lot's of research I settled on the Panasonic VT30. I Love it - literally difficult not to watch and get anyting else done. Question 1 Anyways I have it hooked into the internet "wireless" and I'm wondering about all the viruses out there and can they come in and do any damage to the TV. I have downloaded software into my Blu ray and PS3 etc and with VIERACAST content, access to Utube, ant the whole internet via PS3 - am I at risk to downloading a virus that can impact the TVs performance when surfing the web. Question 2 Does anyone know who can calibrate these beasts, in Ottawa..and is it worth it?

2012-05-18, 06:01 PM	#3
ScaryBob Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Dandelion City Posts: 7,133	It's always possible that a virus can be created to infect TVs or any other "smart" device. It has happened to cell phones and electronic picture frames so TV infections are definitely possible. However, the likelihood of this happening to a TV is currently very low. (The picture frame incident happened at the manufacturer's site.) When streaming content from verified sources, the probability is extremely low. I would say that infecting the PS3 player is much more likely than the TV. Streaming from unverified sources, such as pirate sites or torrents, would increase the risk significantly but most viruses are targeted at PCs. __________________ At 20 I had a good mind. At 40 I had money. At 60 I've lost my mind and my money. Oh, to be 20 again. --Scary

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2012-05-18, 05:24 PM	#2
SAMIAM76 Rookie Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2	Can anyone respond to this - or direct me to a site that can?