Samsung has fixed a security flaw in its smart televisions in response to an investigation into privacy and security standards in these TVs.
Consumer Reports reported in February it had found that millions of TVs from Samsung, as well as those from brands that use the Roku TV platform, could be controlled by hackers using easy-to-find security flaws.
The problems were discovered during a Consumer Reports-led privacy and security evaluation of five smart TV brands.
Consumer Reports shared its findings with Samsung and the other manufacturers, and an update issued by Samsung this summer fixes the problem on its 2018 smart TVs. The company says it plans to roll out a similar update for 2017 TVs later this fall.
“The growing ranks of connected products offer a host of conveniences and innovations, but they also raise serious questions about security and privacy,” said Marta L. Tellado, president and CEO of Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports developed a Digital Standard to hold companies accountable for producing connected products that put consumers’ security and privacy needs first, Tellado said.
Consumer Reports’ tests discovered that Samsung smart TVs, along with Roku TVs from TCL and other brands, would allow a hacker with minimal skills to change TV channels, turn up the volume, play unwanted YouTube videos, or kick the TV off a WiFi connection. It could be done remotely over the web from thousands of miles away.
However, a hacker couldn’t spy on a TV viewer, steal information, or monitor what was being watched.
Consumer Reports also recently tested mobile peer-to-peer payment services with a focus on privacy and security and found vulnerabilities.
In addition, Consumer Reports also discovered several privacy vulnerabilities with the Glow app, a mobile app designed to help women track their menstrual cycles and fertility. After it contacted the company, the major security issues were addressed.
