Guide to securing your Smart TV

Many smart TVs will operate through an online account. In this case, the TV is set up via an Amazon account. It’s important to consider the security of this account.

When connecting your Amazon account to your Smart TV, ensure that you review the privacy and security settings on the Amazon account to ensure it is secure. This means ensuring you have a unique and strong password for the account that others cannot guess (use a mix of capital letters, numbers and symbols); ensure the account details are correct and any email addresses or phone numbers listed belong to you; and set up two-step verification for extra security. You can access the settings of your Amazon account on a web browser by visiting www.amazon.co.uk.

1. Enter the settings menu on your Smart TV and select the Account and Profile Settings option. Here you can check which accounts are linked to the TV. Check the Amazon account connected is yours. Consider the information above when checking whether your Amazon account is secure.
2. To de-register an Amazon account on your Smart TV, select the account and press the select button on your remote.

Note: De-registering an account does not remove all personal data stored on the account. To do this you will need to complete a factory reset on your Smart TV. You need to register an Amazon account in order to use the smart function of this TV model, however if you do not wish to sign-in to an Amazon account you can also use the TV with an aerial, with the smart features disabled. This would mean that the TV is less likely to be compromised but many of the features would also be disabled.

If you have concerns about untrusted, linked accounts on your TV, do not have access to the registered accounts, or if you suspect someone else has admin access to the device, it is advisable to restore the TV to its factory settings. This will allow you to remove the TV’s previous settings and accounts, meaning you will be able to complete set-up with new accounts and access information.

1. Select the Device and Software menu where you will find the option to restart or reset your TV.
2. To return your device to factory settings, select Factory Defaults. If you have a PIN enabled you will need to enter your PIN before resetting the device.

If the TV is already set up and has apps downloaded, ensure each app or account is secure by reviewing their settings individually.

If your TV is already set up, it is worth reviewing the TV setup settings. It’s likely that all of the smart features the TV has have already been enabled during set up, so you may want to consider whether they are appropriate for you. It is safest not to enable any, however, some of the TV’s features will not work.

A Wi-Fi connection is needed for most features on your Smart TV to work.

Note: Before connecting the TV to your Wi-Fi when prompted, first consider whether your Wi-Fi connection is secure. You can visit our Wireless Systems Guide to find out more about securing your Wi-Fi.

1. Enter your Wi-Fi network settings.
2. On your smart TV home screen scroll across to the settings option.
3. Then select Network which will then bring up a menu list for network settings.
4. The menu will show the three strongest Wi-Fi networks. Check that you are connecting to your home Wi-Fi.

Disconnecting your TV from Wi-Fi

1. To disconnect a specific network connection, highlight the connected network (as show in the image above) and then on your remote press the three line button.
2. Then press the select button on your remote to confirm your action.
3. To completely disconnect the Wi-Fi function on your smart TV, enter the Network menu as above and toggle the Wi-Fi function to Off by highlighting this option in the menu and pressing select on your remote.

Wi-Fi password stored in Amazon account.

This is useful when you have multiple devices to connect to your Wi-Fi, however, take caution when using this setting, particularly if your Amazon account is not secure.

1. To remove this option, highlight Save Wi-Fi passwords to Amazon and use the select button on your remote to toggle the option to Off

The Smart TV also provides information on how to complete these steps.

1. To manage the applications on your Smart TV, go to the Applications menu. Note: It’s important to regularly complete software updates on your installed applications.
2. In the Applications menu select App store.
3. Ensure that automatic updates are turned On. This will ensure your apps are regularly updated with the latest software.
   

Review installed applications and remove unwanted applications.

1. Click on Show All Applications to view a list of applications installed on your Smart TV. It is recommended that you regularly review this list to ensure that the apps on your Smart TV were installed by you. Use this list to review which individual account you should secure the privacy and security settings for. You should do this on the accounts themselves by logging in on a web browser (for example your All 4 or BBC iPlayer accounts).
2. To remove an app that is unknown or unwanted, select the app on the list and click Uninstall.
3. When the prompt comes up, click Uninstall again and this will delete the app from your Smart TV.

Note: Download apps with caution and ensure you review the privacy and security settings for each individual app.

Amazon Photos

1. In Amazon Photos, there is an option for guests to connect and share photos. This function is turned on by default. Turn it off by pressing select on Amazon Photos then toggling Off. Note: This feature allows guests to connect and share photos and videos on your Smart TV. If you are using this feature on the TV, it could allow others to access your photos on your Amazon account, or allow someone to share images you do not wish to see. You may wish to turn this function off or opt to only turn the feature on when you want to use it with a trusted person. Once you have finished using the feature, you can remove this connection and turn the setting off again.

In app purchases

1. You can manage the in-app purchases here and turn this option On or Off using the select button.

Note: Enabling in-app purchases could allow someone with access to your TV to make costly purchases with the credit or debit card that is linked to your TV. This may not be appropriate if you have children in your household, or if there are other members of your household who you do not trust with your finances.

Your Smart TV has a web browsing function that allows you to search for things online using the TV.

1. You can manage the settings to this by entering the Applications menu and selecting Silk Browser.
   
2. Within these settings, it is recommended that Safe Browsing is turned On, Saved Addresses and Auto Sign-in features are turned Off and Pairing Options are turned Off to prevent other devices connecting and sharing content to the web browser. Within this menu you can also go to Parental Controls where you will have the option of PIN protecting the Silk app. It’s advisable that you create a unique and secure PIN. This will help ensure your children cannot enter the settings and turn Safe Browsing off.

Use this menu to check the Bluetooth devices connected to your Smart TV. These could include connections for remotes, game controllers and other Bluetooth devices. If there are any unrecognised devices you can remove them here.

1. Select the Preferences tab to review your TV’s privacy settings. Information about how you use the TV is stored by default. We advise not agreeing to the collection of data.
2. Scroll down and select Privacy Settings to review.
3. Within the Privacy Settings tab turn all three options Off.
4. Return to the preferences menu and select Data monitoring, toggle this setting to Off using the select button on your remote.
5. Return to the Reference Settings menu and scroll down to Location to ensure your location is not being shared with your TV, click on this option to delete it. The Smart TV uses your location, enabling Alexa to provide personalised weather forecast. However, this could also be used to track your location by someone who has access to your Amazon account.

Ensure you update your TV’s software, hardware and app software regularly. The procedure for installing system updates on your TV varies depending on the model and manufacturer, so consult your user guide if you need more details. If you’re given the option, make sure auto-update options are turned on.

1. Select Device & Software from the settings menu.
   
2. This menu will allow you to review information about your Smart TV and the software installed. Select About.
   
3. Check for updates, it is important to keep your software updated to the latest version.
   

Parental controls can be set up on a TV to manage a child’s use of the device. They can restrict access to certain applications and websites. A PIN can also be set up which will be required when installing apps and making purchases. You may wish to set these features up on your TV.

However, these settings can also be abused to restrict your access to the device. If this is the case, and you do not know the PIN that would allow you to make edits, it is advisable to complete a factory reset of the TV. Go to Step 2 of this guide.

Caution

You can review the parental controls in the Account and Profile settings or the Preferences menu. Both of these menus will take you to the parental controls.

1. Turn the parental controls to On by clicking select on your remote.
   
2. You will get a message to confirm these have been enabled. Parental controls include:
   PIN control on purchases – no purchases can be made without the PIN being entered.
   PIN protection on app launches – certain apps will need PIN to launch and use.
   Viewing restrictions are enabled – PIN will be required to watch content rated teen and above on Prime Video.
   You can also edit these setting individually within the Preferences menu by using the select button to turn On and Off.
   
3. To change your PIN, select Change PIN and this will prompt you to enter the current PIN and then change it.
   

If your smart TV has a camera or microphone feature, consider covering your camera when you’re not using it. Even if your TV isn’t compromised by an untrusted person, covering the camera helps you avoid accidentally broadcasting your living room. You can cover the camera manually with a piece of tape or disable the camera and microphone features.

To disable a camera, go to the Settings menu and select Privacy Options. Go to Advertising and then select Limit Ad Tracking or similar. Go to the microphone and camera accessibility and turn these Off.

Additional security:

Consider installing an antivirus for your smart TV as it can be infected with malicious software or viruses just like your other smart devices.