LG TV flaws could let attackers listen in, even in standby mode

[Verdinut]

LG TV flaws could let attackers listen in, even in standby mode

Testing found that LG smart TVs can track viewing and scan home networks, while security flaws could let attackers record conversations.

www.malwarebytes.com

What we need to depend on is a new trustworthy North American manufacturer to build new sets. In the meantime, IMO the only suitable choice would be Sony preferably made in Japan. Unfortunately Panasonic does not at present supply acceptable after sales service in North America.

 

[j_garcia]

Sony sold their TV business.

 

[rnatalli]

What’s really needed is a U.S. version of the GDPR to pass. Earlier this year it appeared to be moving along and then stalled.

 

[panteragstk]

Sony sold their TV business.

Yep, and they've been using other sources for their panels anyway. For a LONG time it was a joint venture between them and Samsung, but LG came into the mix when OLED came out.

The video processing was all Sony though. Good stuff.

 

[highfigh]

What we need is for TVs to go back to being monitors and no streaming box remotes with microphones. NONE of that crap is necessary.

SIB-KISS.

 

[Mikado463]

Thankfully I'm in the '4th quarter', no overtime.........

 

[j_garcia]

I keep my TV dumb too. It doesn't get to go outside and play.

 

[Verdinut]

I keep my TV dumb too. It doesn't get to go outside and play.

You mean that you don't have any smart TV? I still have my 17 year old 50 inch plasma Panny which still works like as new, and I think I'm going to keep it, even if it draws a lot of power, and it heats causing more expensive air conditioning in hot weather.

 

[j_garcia]

You mean that you don't have any smart TV? I still have my 17 year old 50 inch plasma Panny which still works like as new, and I think I'm going to keep it, even if it draws a lot of power, and it heats causing more expensive air conditioning in hot weather.

No, I mean I don't connect any of my TVs directly to the internet. I connect, update firmware, disconnect.

 

[Verdinut]

No, I mean I don't connect any of my TVs directly to the internet. I connect, update firmware, disconnect.

So how do you get notified that a firmware update is available for your TVs ?

 

[j_garcia]

So how do you get notified that a firmware update is available for your TVs ?

I don't, I just check once or twice a year. For using as just a TV, I don't need them to always be current, as long as things are working.

 

[panteragstk]

No, I mean I don't connect any of my TVs directly to the internet. I connect, update firmware, disconnect.

I don't even do that. My LG works just fine disconnected. It had way too many firmware updates that got very annoying, so no internet for it.

Then it comes out they're apparently spying on us, so all the more reason to keep it isolated.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah while I like some of the internet features of the LG C5 I recently got, still get unwanted ads despite turning everything off I could find so disconnecting from the net looks like probably in my best interest. In a land of tracking cell phones, not sure if it really matters that much.

 

[Eppie]

I wouldn't put it past LG to use WiFi to bypass disconnected ethernet cables. One nice feature of the routers that Rogers uses in Canada is that I get notified in the app whenever a new device connects, so nothing sneaks in undetected. The TV could jump in on an open WiFi connection though. Won't be long before they start embedding cellular network chips like auto-manufacturers and spy on you whether you like it or not. This really needs to be regulated by every nation.

 

[Verdinut]

I wouldn't put it past LG to use WiFi to bypass disconnected ethernet cables. One nice feature of the routers that Rogers uses in Canada is that I get notified in the app whenever a new device connects, so nothing sneaks in undetected. The TV could jump in on an open WiFi connection though. Won't be long before they start embedding cellular network chips like auto-manufacturers and spy on you whether you like it or not. This really needs to be regulated by every nation.

Did you know that the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) is not controlled by the Federal Government, but would be by Bell and Rogers? I was told about it by a technician who works for a competing company in Quebec.

 

[Eppie]

Did you know that the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) is not controlled by the Federal Government, but would be by Bell and Rogers? I was told about it by a technician who works for a competing company in Quebec.

Not "by" Bell and Rogers, although they do have influence. It is a rather odd arrangement. The CRTC operates as an independent arms-length tribunal and reports to the Department of Canadian Heritage. The department does not however direct the CRTC in their operations. They get their authority from acts of Parliament but apparently the government does not set their mandate. I would assume the government does have influence over those decisions, though.

 

[j_garcia]

I don't even do that. My LG works just fine disconnected. It had way too many firmware updates that got very annoying, so no internet for it.

Then it comes out they're apparently spying on us, so all the more reason to keep it isolated.

It isn't like the issue is new, it is just getting more complex. Ever since the start of smart TVs, they are both a weak link that can be used to gain access, as well as the fact that by connecting it to your network, you are basically agreeing to allow them to access everything on it. Collecting viewing and shopping data and listening in are just new things they added to the list.

 

[Tankini]

It isn't like the issue is new, it is just getting more complex. Ever since the start of smart TVs, they are both a weak link that can be used to gain access, as well as the fact that by connecting it to your network, you are basically agreeing to allow them to access everything on it. Collecting viewing and shopping data and listening in are just new things they added to the list.

Sadly your correct. They sucked everyone in with these smart tv's. Streaming services All of them are in on it, from putting decided buttons on our remotes to Bill boards Ads in our homes so all of them can track,spy etc. The day of the tv's that couldn't do this are long gone.

 

[highfigh]

So how do you get notified that a firmware update is available for your TVs ?

If it works well, who cares about firmware updates? Not being able to automatically update is one reason for being able to turn that 'feature' off.

 

[highfigh]

I wouldn't put it past LG to use WiFi to bypass disconnected ethernet cables. One nice feature of the routers that Rogers uses in Canada is that I get notified in the app whenever a new device connects, so nothing sneaks in undetected. The TV could jump in on an open WiFi connection though. Won't be long before they start embedding cellular network chips like auto-manufacturers and spy on you whether you like it or not. This really needs to be regulated by every nation.

What is an "open WiFi connection"? If WiFi is active in the router, it would have 254 addresses available, going along with IP protocols unless it was limited by the provider.

A device can't jump in without a password, assuming the WiFi network was set up to be secure and there's absolutely no situation where that should happen. If it was connected wirelessly at the beginning, it may be able to have 'auto connect' turned off.

There is also, absolutely no way a government should be allowed to access this info IF they have prevented unwarranted search or siezure.