Samsung is loading McAfee antivirus software on smart TVs

[Greg S]

WTF?! Samsung is adding bloatware to its 2019 TVs because McAfee is paying them to do so. There is arguably no reason for Samsung to offer third-party antivirus software for an operating system that is developed in-house.

Partnering with software vendors is fairly common practice for large hardware manufacturers. Laptop makers frequently pre-install bloatware in return for some sizable payouts and smartphone OEMs are no different. Samsung is now installing McAfee antivirus software on its 2019 TV lineup.

Samsung is claiming something to the effect of wanting to protect users from malware. On the surface that makes sense, but Samsung is running its very own Tizen OS on all TVs. Instead of adding more junk to a TV, why not just improve the OS? The answer though is self-explanatory. Samsung would not receive a payout from McAfee if it did not install the unneeded software.

Officially, here is Samsung's statement on the matter.

McAfee extended its contract to have McAfee Security for TV technology pre-installed on all Samsung Smart TVs produced in 2019. Along with being the market leader in the Smart TV category worldwide, Samsung is also the first company to pre-install security on these devices, underscoring its commitment to building security in from the start. McAfee Security for TV scans the apps that run on Samsung smart TVs to identify and remove malware.

Downloading and installing apps on most TVs is a tedious process that most users are not doing very frequently. Well known apps such as Netflix and Hulu come pre-installed on most TVs regardless of brand, making it unnecessary for most users to ever even look at what other apps are available.

It may not be a big deal to have extra bloatware on a TV, but it is something undesirable and might burn a little more power for no actual benefit. If someone is going to take the time to target Tizen with malware and knowing that McAfee is pre=installed, there is little reason to believe a developer would not take the extra time to ensure detection does not happen.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/78967-samsung-loading-mcafee-antivirus-software-smart-tvs.html

 

[Squid Surprise]

The real question is: can this be removed by the end user?

 

[VitalyT]

Looks like my 2018 Samsung TV is the very last one that I will ever buy from Samsung.

The real question is: can this be removed by the end user?

I'd bet that even McAfee himself couldn't...

 

[Impudicus]

My next TV won't be Samsung. McAffee isn't even any good anymore.

 

[Panda218]

The real question is: can this be removed by the end user?

It's doubtful it can be removed, but you should be able to block it's network usage. I was going to pre order a Galaxy S10 until I found out they are preloading McAfee on the devices.

 

[Christiaaan]

Just ditched the note 9 for iphone, looks like I am not buying their TVs anymore either, oh well LG for the win.

 

[Mister_K]

Just ditched the note 9 for iphone, looks like I am not buying their TVs anymore either, oh well LG for the win.

Apple/Samsung

Bad as each other.

 

[Christiaaan]

Just ditched the note 9 for iphone, looks like I am not buying their TVs anymore either, oh well LG for the win.

Apple/Samsung

Bad as each other.

If you say so, Apple is not bloated and it always works. never lags and supported for 5+ years. All other andriods will get dropped in a year.

Working in IT 50+ hrs a week, I want my things to work with minimal interference. That can't be expected on andriod.

 

[OortCloud]

Just ditched the note 9 for iphone, looks like I am not buying their TVs anymore either, oh well LG for the win.

Apple/Samsung

Bad as each other.

If you say so, Apple is not bloated and it always works. never lags and supported for 5+ years. All other andriods will get dropped in a year.

Working in IT 50+ hrs a week, I want my things to work with minimal interference. That can't be expected on andriod.

What nonsense. "Never lags" - I nearly spat my tea.
"Supported for 5 years" - A 5 year old Apple device is basically unusable - 1 because the battery is ruined and can't be replaced and 2 because Apple's delightful practice of crippling old devices in software updates.

If you could at least spell the OS you are talking nonsense about it might lend it a little more credence (not much) or is that some incredibly witty way of talking it down that I missed out on?

 

[Lew Zealand]

Just ditched the note 9 for iphone, looks like I am not buying their TVs anymore either, oh well LG for the win.

Apple/Samsung

Bad as each other.

If you say so, Apple is not bloated and it always works. never lags and supported for 5+ years. All other andriods will get dropped in a year.

Working in IT 50+ hrs a week, I want my things to work with minimal interference. That can't be expected on andriod.

What nonsense. "Never lags" - I nearly spat my tea.
"Supported for 5 years" - A 5 year old Apple device is basically unusable - 1 because the battery is ruined and can't be replaced and 2 because Apple's delightful practice of crippling old devices in software updates.

Ah, so you use 5 year old Apple devices regularly then. OK, j/k it's clear you don't but want to rant anyways. It's the internet, that's what we do right?

Mrs. Zealand uses a 5 year old Apple device and it's not fast, any Geekbench comparo with an Xs will tell you that. But the battery lasts through most days (not all) and her device works well and is not "crippled."

But you go and enjoy your narrative.

 

[erickmendes]

Next stop, AV bloatware on smartwatches, then smart speakers...

 

[ckm88]

Yay! An anti-virus software tweaked by Samsung to include root kits, tracking, and that hidden camera update!!

 

[Christiaaan]

Just ditched the note 9 for iphone, looks like I am not buying their TVs anymore either, oh well LG for the win.

Apple/Samsung

Bad as each other.

If you say so, Apple is not bloated and it always works. never lags and supported for 5+ years. All other andriods will get dropped in a year.

Working in IT 50+ hrs a week, I want my things to work with minimal interference. That can't be expected on andriod.

What nonsense. "Never lags" - I nearly spat my tea.
"Supported for 5 years" - A 5 year old Apple device is basically unusable - 1 because the battery is ruined and can't be replaced and 2 because Apple's delightful practice of crippling old devices in software updates.

Ah, so you use 5 year old Apple devices regularly then. OK, j/k it's clear you don't but want to rant anyways. It's the internet, that's what we do right?

Mrs. Zealand uses a 5 year old Apple device and it's not fast, any Geekbench comparo with an Xs will tell you that. But the battery lasts through most days (not all) and her device works well and is not "crippled."

But you go and enjoy your narrative.

"spat my tea" lmao what kind of 3rd world crap is this. PATHETIC.

Anyways this video proves you wrong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaEHg_VnDk0
Use an andriod that was released in 2012 wont even touch its heels.

 

[Lew Zealand]

"spat my tea" lmao what kind of 3rd world crap is this. PATHETIC.

Anyways this video proves you wrong

Use an andriod that was released in 2012 wont even touch its heels.

That's an iPhone 5, no longer supported by Apple and an older device. Nice try.

 

[Christiaaan]

"spat my tea" lmao what kind of 3rd world crap is this. PATHETIC.

Anyways this video proves you wrong

Use an andriod that was released in 2012 wont even touch its heels.

That's an iPhone 5, no longer supported by Apple and an older device. Nice try.

Oh what about the 5s then, that just got a lot better with ios12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfDYPoScUZM

Try using a Note 2 or S4 right now. Straight up laggy mess.

 

[DelJo63]

That's an iPhone 5, no longer supported by Apple and an older device. Nice try.

Not entirely true, as the Apple Store will still DL and install Apps. Just replace the battery my self and it runs just fine. True, you can't buy a new one however.

 

[Lew Zealand]

Wait. Did we end up on the same side of the discussion? Mrs. Zealand uses a iP5s. BTW we still use a iP5 as an iPod (cell service off) around the house but it's battery is not very dependable any more. Understandable 6 years later and I did get it used 4 years ago.

 

[toooooot]

Next stop, AV bloatware on smartwatches, then smart speakers...

Then smart people...

 

[Nobina]

Just ditched the note 9 for iphone, looks like I am not buying their TVs anymore either, oh well LG for the win.

Apple/Samsung

Bad as each other.

If you say so, Apple is not bloated and it always works. never lags and supported for 5+ years. All other andriods will get dropped in a year.

Working in IT 50+ hrs a week, I want my things to work with minimal interference. That can't be expected on andriod.

S6 still get's security updates so thats a lie. iPhones never lag is a lie too. Apple is not bloated so why are people putting everything in one folder they never use? I think you had a bit of a lie there as well. Long time Android user and I don't see how it interferes with my work. Shouldnt all those updates mean you get more interference? And can you please come back to the real world?

 

[erickmendes]

Then smart people...

Those are already full of bloatware lol

 

[QuantumPhysics]

The real question is: can this be removed by the end user?

And most likely it's not as simple as just going to CONTROL PANEL: Add/ Remove Programs.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

I personally prefer Vizio 4K smart TV models.

I have a 42" a 50", and an 80".

It never occurred to me that people would be malicious enough to attack televisions which themselves hide no personal data.

I've never had a problem with mine.

 

[Mister_K]

Working in IT 50+ hrs a week, I want my things to work with minimal interference. That can't be expected on andriod.

I work in IT (React dev) rarely have problems with my webapps on either of the device types. Calling BS on this. Unless you are comparing some low-end tier outdated Android with an iPhone, which is stupid...

 

[pcnthuziast]

Samsung has been slipping for years. This is the nail in the coffin.

 

[Danster1616]

Must be an Intel chip in that thing.