All Samsung TVs have a remote kill switch to disable stolen sets, and the company just...

[hahahanoobs]

"To allow manufacturers increased prices and profit margins for an otherwise commodity product. See also 3D TVs."

3D is dead.

 

[mrvco]

The trouble is that finding a dumb TV these days is increasingly difficult, IMO.

You can always keep your 'Smart TV' dumb by not connecting it to the Internet... which sounds counterintuitive considering the current state of the world.

 

[Markoni35]

It was well known even before that Samsung "smart" TVs spy on their customers. They react to voice commands, so every time you say something sends your conversation to Samsung servers, for voice-recognition, which then returns the command (if command was recognized). For some reason, they couldn't add a small chip to do the voice-recognition onboard. Or to use the existing CPU for that. But they have to send all the conversations you do in front of the TV to Samsung.

I'm sure certain organizations are especially interested how you comment TV News when certain events are shown on screen. So they can automatically create your psychological profile, based on your opinions.

 

[wiyosaya]

How are you writing this post?

Do you really expect me to say "on a smart device". I would think the answer is obvious.

 

[wiyosaya]

You can always keep your 'Smart TV' dumb by not connecting it to the Internet... which sounds counterintuitive considering the current state of the world.

Thanks for the informative post. I had never thought of that.

 

[wiyosaya]

3D is dead.

And unlikely to be brought back from the dead anytime soon, thankfully.

 

[wiyosaya]

Well, that's all fine if you port 80 is also blocked. Since it's not, Samsung, or hackers can access your TV.

Thanks for another informative and enlightening post.But, you are flat out incorrect. Hint - stateful firewall. That term is not difficult to research. But, I'll make it simpler to understand - if you don't let a device connect to the outside world - with a stateful firewall - nothing will be able to connect to it as all attempts so do so would be dropped by the firewall. So, in other words, all ports/connection attempts/etc., are blocked by default by blocking the device's access to the internet.

 

[Markoni35]

You can always keep your 'Smart TV' dumb by not connecting it to the Internet... which sounds counterintuitive considering the current state of the world.

The question is whether those devices can still connect to the internet, even if you don't let them. It's well known that Bluetooth can be used to connect to various devices and infect them with viruses, without the target devices even asking for permission or password. Such secret backdoor are nowadays part of almost all "smart" devices.

It's logical to assume that a similar backdoor exists in wifi routers, which would enable various devices to connect to the router, or the router to contact the TV, should it receive an outside signal. Assuming that any electronic device you own is secure is nowadays completely wrong. The problem is not in bugs, the problem is in deliberate backdoors.

 

[wiyosaya]

Online video if it's a Smart TV!
Youtube and Netflix and Disney+, OH MY!

If you can find a TV without any "smart" features, what's the price difference? $20? That is insignificant to me. I only want a display and if it has "smart" features, I will not connect it to the internet.

Streaming to a "smart" TV by using it as a monitor. Oh MY!

 

[wiyosaya]

The question is whether those devices can still connect to the internet, even if you don't let them. It's well known that Bluetooth can be used to connect to various devices and infect them with viruses, without the target devices even asking for permission or password. Such secret backdoor are nowadays part of almost all "smart" devices.

It's logical to assume that a similar backdoor exists in wifi routers, which would enable various devices to connect to the router, or the router to contact the TV, should it receive an outside signal. Assuming that any electronic device you own is secure is nowadays completely wrong. The problem is not in bugs, the problem is in deliberate backdoors.

HNMM - Setup - WiFi/Bluetooth on/off? Off.

Even my dehumidifier has WiFi which I never enabled.

Ethernet port - leave empty.

Problem solved.

 

[wiyosaya]

Well, that hasn't stopped them loading their VERY expensive smartphones with bloat that is impossible to remove. When I pay $1000+ dollars for a device, I sure as hell want the ability to remove spam apps and ad laden rubbish. So, no Samsung internet connected stuff for me.

Well, that's a different topic.

 

[Gypsygib]

Explains why my Samsung TV from 2003 still works but my TV from 2015 mysteriously broke last year. Worked perfectly one day, then just stopped turning on the next.

 

[Angga B]

It's only good for areas where stealing is rampant in volume, such as, California. We from the rest of the world do not need such feature.

 

[Ludak021]

Thanks for another informative and enlightening post.But, you are flat out incorrect. Hint - stateful firewall. That term is not difficult to research. But, I'll make it simpler to understand - if you don't let a device connect to the outside world - with a stateful firewall - nothing will be able to connect to it as all attempts so do so would be dropped by the firewall. So, in other words, all ports/connection attempts/etc., are blocked by default by blocking the device's access to the internet.

I wrote under assumption that you still use internet over TV and that you need http port open. If you are not, well, your firewall is a waste of resources and time because you can just unplug the TV from the internet completely.

 

[pelopidas]

I don't mind the ability to disable stolen property. What gets me with Samsung is they ruin perfectly good TVs with "updates" when they are considered EOL. TVs look dramatically worse after 3 years of updates then when they first come out. Then, compared to this years "hot new" they are crap. I have kept my Q8FN offline since day 1 since they force updates, whether you want them or not. That TV still smokes everything new that Samsung has made since.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

3D is dead.

Correction. 3D was never alive but in the dreams of TV manufacturers hoping to create margins for their commodity product. Just like adding "smarts" to TV.

Well the smarts also allow tracking customers so it's a double win.

 

[hahahanoobs]

Correction. 3D was never alive but in the dreams of TV manufacturers hoping to create margins for their commodity product. Just like adding "smarts" to TV.

Well the smarts also allow tracking customers so it's a double win.

I also agree you bringing up 3D was a mistake. Tell me about tv manufacturers margins are calculated that you vaguely mentioned earlier.

 

[Tech Blunt]

Ok how I find you guys at Samsung being hilarious is the fact that your tech does not apply to most of these guys who looted. I owned a smartphone in 2011 my 1st one till today some pple here in SA don't even use its full capability. As long they can load etym, call and make selfies or videos and play music. Your kill switch won't affect them cos in no way will they connect it to the network. I don't support the looters but am just airing out what's on the ground cos I am in SA compared to you Samsung guys in Korea. By the way where are they made these tvs. You may disable 10%. But they are tech smart pple who need money. It's the system neh.

 

[Markoni35]

I wonder if the next article will discover that Samsung TVs also have little hidden cameras that are inaccessible to the user, but can be remotely switched on by "Samsung Detectives" if the device is stolen. Just a safety feature, nothing to be worried about.

 

[bandit8623]

I wonder if the next article will discover that Samsung TVs also have little hidden cameras that are inaccessible to the user, but can be remotely switched on by "Samsung Detectives" if the device is stolen. Just a safety feature, nothing to be worried about.

thats why I duck tape all surface areas of my tv. it looks sweet too

 

[Markoni35]

thats why I duck tape all surface areas of my tv. it looks sweet too

Good thinking. They should include duck tape with new cellphones, laptops and TV sets.