How to Prevent a Virus Attack on a Smart TV and What to Do If You Get One

Can a Smart TV Get a Virus Attack?

Yes, a smart TV can get a virus attack. However, it’s very rare for it to happen.

Even if it happens, there’s an easy fix to deal with it.

Even if your smart TV hasn’t suffered a virus attack, it’s good to learn how to prevent such a thing from happening.

Why It’s Rare for Smart TV to Be Attacked By a Virus

Unlike computer viruses and malware, it’s a tough task to create a virus for a smart TV.

This is because the mini-computer system in your Smart TV is built in such a way that it’s virus-unfriendly.

So, virus or malware writers will find it tough to create a virus that can infect your smart TV.

Why is it Difficult to Create a Virus for Smart TV?

Unlike a computer system, which can read and write code, a smart TV is designed to only read code.

In other words, it’s a read-only system.

Code on a smart TV is stored in chips. The TV’s operating system read the code to give the TV computing abilities.

If a malware or virus writer wants to attack a smart TV, he would have to completely rewrite the code to take over the existing code.

Any update to a smart TV’s code can only be done by a firmware update.

For a firmware update to take place, an approved digital signature must be provided.

Fortunately, malware and viruses are not written with a digital signature.

What Happens if Malware Creeps into Your Smart TV System?

So, even if malware gets into your smart TV’s operating system, it will not affect it.

Since it doesn’t have a digital signature, there’s no way, the malware is going to alter the existing code in your smart TV.

So what happens is the rogue malware code lies powerless and dormant in your smart TV system.

When you undertake a firmware upgrade for your smart TV, the existing code will be removed to be replaced with the new one.

The malware will also be removed to be replaced with the new code the firmware update provides.

Even if malware or virus hijacks your smart TV code, there’s very little it can do to wreak havoc on your system.

Malware writers would not waste time and effort write rogue code that are toothless which don’t give them the return on investment they expect.

How to Prevent a Malware or Virus Attack on Your Smart TV

You’ve learned why Malware and viruses can’t easily attack your smart TV. Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Here the simple preventive measures you can take to prevent malware or viruses intruding your smart TV system.

Run Frequent Malware or Virus Scans

Check to see if your smart TV comes with a virus scan feature. Samsung smart TVs come with virus protection.

Under the settings menu, choose General.

Then select System Manager – Smart Security.

Next, select Scan.

Virus and malware scanning will be executed. Within minutes you’ll be alerted of any infection.

Check out the video below for guidance.

Have a Secure Home Network

To minimize the chances of a virus or malware attack on your smart TV, it pays to secure your home network.

This would include installing a hardware firewall and getting a router with built-in antivirus.

Regularly Update Your Smart TV Firmware

If your smart TV has outdated firnware, then the risk of malware or virus infection is higher.

Malware and virus writers will have the time to study the code and rewrite.

A firmware update will keep such threats at bay. Firmware updates, apart from updating apps, come with security patches, too.

Practice Safe Surfing

If you surf the Internet with your smart TV’s web browser, then avoid visiting suspicious sites.

Avoid downloading apps from these sites, too.

Always download from approved sites or your TV manufacturer’s official app store.

Steps to Take if Your Smart TV Gets a Virus or Malware Attack?

The easiest solution is to perform a factory reset, also known as a hard reset.

Now, what will a factory reset do to your smart TV. Well, it will put your TV in the state it was when it left the factory. That is before you populated it with apps and other information.

So, a factory reset will wipe off your apps and preferred settings. At the same time, it will remove any virus or malware residing in your system.

The video below shows how to factory reset a Samsung smart TV.

This video shows the steps to hard reset an LG Smart TV.

In any case, check your smart TV manual for more information.