Can smart TVs be hacked?

VnExpress reader Tran Linh said her family uses a smart TV to watch movies, listen to music and install online apps, but she is concerned that connected home devices could become targets for hackers.

"Can smart TVs be hacked or infected with malware, and what can users do to protect themselves?" Linh asked.

The answer is yes, according to Jin Ye, a security expert with Kaspersky's Global Research and Analysis Team.

Two people watch TV in a living room setting. Illustration from Pexels

Many smart TVs run operating systems such as Android and allow users to install apps, much like smartphones. These similarities mean they can also contain security vulnerabilities that hackers may exploit, Jin told VnExpress.

Their frequent Internet connectivity can further expose them to attacks. Even when not actively being used, smart TVs may remain connected to Wi-Fi. Some may also have public IP addresses, making them potentially reachable from outside the user's home network.

If such a device contains a security vulnerability, hackers could exploit it to attack the TV remotely, he said.

Major TV manufacturers have increasingly built security protections into their devices, while some models also come with anti-malware software. But these safeguards do not make smart TVs immune to attacks. Some have been infected with malware and turned into parts of malicious networks, Jin said.

When this happens, he said cybersecurity companies can share information about the malware network with authorities, helping them identify and shut down the systems hackers use to control infected devices.