FBI: Smart TVs are Hackable!

[CraginS]

Hardly a surprise to most of the  folks in this community, but interesting that the FBI (not DHS) has warned the public that smart TVs with cameras and microphones might be a danger to privacy:

Oregon FBI Tech Tuesday: Securing Smart TVs

The FBI press release linked here t has been picked up by several news organizations just as the frenzy for Black Friday TV deals peaks. Of course, rampaging bargain hunters today will not be worrying about whether a Samsung, LG, or ONN tv is more hackable or intrusive; they are gonna get into fistfights just to get the deal.

The last two protection steps in the FBI are almost laughable, considering the reality of the modern cost-conscious consumer:

=-=-

• Check the manufacturer’s ability to update your device with security patches. Can they do this? Have they done it in the past?
• Check the privacy policy for the TV manufacturer and the streaming services you use. Confirm what data they collect, how they store that data, and what they do with it.

=-=-=

Yeah, folks will be doing those things before camping out at WallBuy or BestMart to push and shove their way to the counter carrying a 72 inch television.

Craig

[rslade]

> CraginS (Advocate II) posted a new topic in Industry News on 11-29-2019 11:28 AM

> Hardly a surprise to most of the  folks in this community, but interesting that
> the FBI (not DHS) has warned the public that smart TVs with cameras and
> microphones might be a danger to private

Oi. I can't even remember how many years it's been since I first saw this
demonstrated at CanSecWest ...

====================== (quote inserted randomly by Pegasus Mailer)
rslade@vcn.bc.ca slade@victoria.tc.ca rslade@computercrime.org
You're only given one little spark of madness. You mustn't lose
it. - Robin Williams
victoria.tc.ca/techrev/rms.htm http://twitter.com/rslade
http://blogs.securiteam.com/index.php/archives/author/p1/
https://is.gd/RotlWB

[Caute_cautim]

@rslade @CraginS  Gentlemen as you state, this is no surprise.  And it will not be surprise about the amount of Black Friday bargains slipping their way into homes all over the world, as people battle away for a bargain - which is not always what it seems.   It could be months before they cotton to further surprises over the festive period.   Thanks Giving, I wonder who really are the Turkey's in this case?

Regards

Caute_cautim

[Caute_cautim]

Just to follow up - out rolls CNBC with ways to detect and protect yourself after purchasing your favourite item over Black Friday.  

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/30/how-to-defend-your-smart-home-from-hackers-after-black-friday-buys.h...

Regards

Caute_cautim

[CISOScott]

I wonder why they didn't put this in parentheses after the words Smart TV's:

(and anything you connect to the Internet or make available to connect to)

Probably didn't want to induce mass panic.

The thing I find more disturbing lately is the number of people who I hear say "I was just talking about (insert topic here) yesterday and now I am seeing ads for it on my (insert social media app here). They did not browse or search for it, just spoke it in conversations. I can understand (and expect) seeing ads for stuff after browsing the Internet or putting in search terms in a search engine on the Internet, but not for conversations that were not intended for the Internet's ears. I know a lot of the new apps request access to our microphones, cameras and locations and other potential data collection points and probably somewhere in the microscopic print is the "gotcha" that allowed them to collect our overheard conversations, but I think the boundaries of what is acceptable are being eroded. 

Freedom is usually not lost overnight, but through a series of small, seemingly inconsequential losses, that eventually equal a loss of freedom. Some famous person probably said it better than I did so feel free to add their quotes if you know them...