It’s Father’s Day once more on June 15th, but this isn’t any old Father’s Day – this one might as well have every dad’s birthday and Christmas Day rolled in as well. Yes, Father’s Day in 2014 falls right at the start of the World Cup in Brazil and on the final day of the US Open golf championship, which makes it all the more likely that dad will be settling down in his armchair to enjoy that new Smart TV he’s had his eye on.
But as with anything that connects to the Internet, it pays to be aware of the security issues, and Smart TVs are no different. Only this week the news has been full of stories about attackers exploiting loopholes in the way Smart TVs work, so there’s no doubt TVs are already being targeted. The threat may be low today, but it will grow quickly as more Smart TVs are sold.
Secure ‘Smart’ Soccer Watching
The common sense rules that apply when surfing the web on a laptop or PC are valid on a TV as well, particularly now many come with their own web browsers and downloadable apps. That means always keeping your Smart TV’s software up to date, usually by entering the settings menu and looking for the option for Software Update or Firmware Update. The same goes for apps, whether from the manufacturer or a third-party: if an update is offered, don’t leave it for later. The latest updates contain fixes for known vulnerabilities, so not applying them is like leaving the back door open.
The web browser on a Smart TV is hardly the pinnacle of modern computing but it does a job, and more and more of us are using it to look up an actor’s name or check the football results. The usual warnings apply: type out your own web addresses rather than clicking on links you’ve found or been sent, and you’re best off leaving the most sensitive tasks, such as online banking, to the up-to-date browser on your PC.
And if there are social media options on your Smart TV, be careful what you click on. You don’t have your PC’s antivirus software to keep its close eye on things, so it can be hard to tell when you’ve clicked through to a fake site that’s intent on hoovering up your personal details. By all means tap out a tweet while you watch the game, but be more careful than usual when exploring others’ content.
A Smart TV is a great upgrade to any living room, and keeping these few pieces of common sense advice in mind when you use the online functions will ensure you get the full enjoyment it can offer. Then you can get on with the real business of this year’s Father’s Day: watching sport.