Why Your Smart TV Might Be the Least Secure Device in Your House
You probably keep your phone updated. You might even keep your laptop up to date. But when did you last check for a software update on your TV?
For most households, the honest answer is never. And while that’s not cause for alarm, it’s worth understanding — because your smart TV is a real computer sitting on the same network as your banking devices, and it often gets treated like an appliance rather than a device.
What Makes a Smart TV Different From a Regular TV
A smart TV runs an operating system — software, just like your phone or computer. Common platforms include Android TV, Tizen (Samsung), webOS (LG), and Roku OS. These systems let you stream content, browse apps, and in some cases use a web browser.
Because smart TVs run real software, they can have the same kinds of software problems that phones and computers have: flaws that, if discovered by the wrong person, could be used to access the device without permission. The difference is that TV manufacturers have historically been slower to release updates than phone or computer manufacturers, and most people never install those updates even when they’re available.
The result is that many smart TVs sitting in Canadian living rooms are running software that hasn’t been updated in months or years.
Why That Matters for Your Household
Your smart TV is almost certainly connected to the same WiFi network as your other devices — your laptop, your phone, the tablet your kids use. On a home network, all those devices can, in principle, communicate with each other.
A smart TV with significantly outdated software could, under certain circumstances, be used as a way into your home network. It’s also a device that might store account information for streaming services, connect to a microphone or camera, or collect data about your viewing habits that gets transmitted elsewhere.
To be clear: this doesn’t mean someone is currently watching you through your TV or using it to access your bank account. The practical risk for most households is low. But “low” is different from “zero,” and it’s easy to reduce it.
Three Things Worth Doing
Keep your TV’s software updated. Most smart TVs have an option in the settings menu to check for updates. Look for “System,” “About,” or “Software Update” in your TV’s settings. Some TVs update automatically if you leave them connected to WiFi; others require you to check manually. Either way, it’s worth confirming this is happening.
Only install apps from your TV’s official app store. Smart TVs, like phones, have official app stores — apps that have been reviewed before being listed. Installing apps from outside those stores introduces more risk. If you’re not sure whether an app is official, check the TV manufacturer’s app store directly rather than downloading from a website.
Consider a guest network for your TV. Most modern routers allow you to create a separate guest WiFi network — a second network that has internet access but is kept separate from your main home network. Putting your smart TV (and other smart home devices like thermostats or doorbell cameras) on the guest network means those devices can’t communicate directly with your laptop or phone, even if they’re on the same internet connection. This is a more advanced step, but it’s genuinely effective.
The Right Way to Think About This
Treating your smart TV like a device — rather than just an appliance — doesn’t mean living in fear of it. It means applying the same basic upkeep you already apply to your phone: keep it updated, be thoughtful about what you install on it, and know it’s connected to the rest of your home.
That’s a small mental shift with a real practical effect.
One Thing to Do
Go into your smart TV’s settings today and check for pending software updates. On most TVs, you’ll find this under “System,” “About,” or “Support.” If there are updates waiting, install them.
For more on home network security, visit the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security at cyber.gc.ca.