smart tv – PSafe Blog

How Your Smart TV Could Be At Risk to Hacking

PSafe Newsroom — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 19:45:46 +0000

We trust our smart devices to make our lives easier by remembering our personal information and preferences to complete specific tasks. Our smart TVs are becoming more like our computers: we can download apps, stream content, play videos games, share photos, video-message family and friends, and browse the internet. While these features might seem great, they can actually help make smart TVs more vulnerable to hackers. Even worse, the vulnerability of our smart TVs could jeopardize the safety of any devices we have connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Another Way to Spy

Just like your smartphone or laptop, your smart TV may have a built-in camera or microphone. These features are usually used when playing games, but can also be used for video-chatting. Unfortunately they also offer another way your smart TV can be hacked, thus allowing for hackers to spy on you.

Smart TVs Receive Fewer Updates

Unlike your smartphone or laptop, your smart TV can’t be protected in the same way against security threats. With a laptop or smartphone, you’ll receive more frequent security updates and bug fixes than with your smart TV. You can also download antivirus software to protect your device, and customize and control how your device behaves — options that aren’t really available on your TV. This means that your smart TV is already at a greater risk, because it is less protected.

We Trust Our Smart TVs

Think about the information you trust your smart TV with. At a minimum, you’ll have stored your account information and a method of payment for any content you want to purchase. Then you might have all of your account information, plus additional payment options for all of the streaming services you subscribe to, among other things. While some of this information is required for use of your smart TV, it’s a good idea to not add more personal information than necessary. This goes for online shopping too — it’s much safer to shop on your computer than on your TV.

How to Protect Your Smart TV

Stay up to date on your smart TV’s software to ensure that you receive all available security updates and bug fixes. Avoid online shopping on your TV, in addition to using the web browser for more sensitive information. As always, practice good password making habits for all of your accounts by creating complex, unique passwords for each account. In addition, stay up to date on the latest security threats and app updates so you can avoid downloading any suspicious looking apps.

Here Are the Best HDR-Compatible TVs Available

PSafe Newsroom — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 17:48:49 +0000

Televisions have massively improved over the years. Newer TVs now offer incredible screen resolution, such as 4K, and HDR compatibility. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. There are specific standards that an HDR TV has to meet, pertaining to, for instance, contrast ratio and pixel display. An HDR TV is able to display a wider range of colors than previous TV models.

However, in order to see content in HDR, the content needs to be created for HDR technology. Just like with your Blu-ray player or HD TV, an old DVD will not suddenly have a better picture quality with the newer technology. Luckily, with the popularity of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon, you’ll be able to get instant HDR-ready content directly to your TV.

Ready to make the investment in an HDR-compatible TV and start watching HDR content now?

Below are the best HDR TVs that are currently available:

LG OLEDB6P
This is arguably one of the best HDR-compatible TVs. It offers HDR10 and Dolby Vision, which is the best version of HDR available. The B6 model is especially great for films, TV, and gaming. However, it is a major investment: the 55-inch version is around $2,500, and the 65-inch is around $5,000.

Vizio P65-C1
In comparison to the previous model mentioned, this is practically a steal at under $2,000 for a 65-inch TV. It includes HDR10 and Dolby Vision. As an added bonus, this TV also comes with an Android tablet to use as a remote, so that you have better control over your apps and your TV’s features. In terms of price and all that’s included, this is definitely the best HDR-compatible TV available now.

Samsung KS9500
This model is available in 55-inch, 65-inch, and 78-inch versions. The 55-inch model starts at around $2,000. It supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, which means that this is one of the best models available for the price. However, this model has a curved screen, so it might not be the best model to invest in if you prefer flat screens.

Sony XBR-X930D
You can buy this model in a 55-inch version for about $1,700 and a 65-inch version for about $2,300. Unlike the other models mentioned, this model only offers HDR10 (which may or may not be a concern for you). However, other features of this model are a thin and sleek TV design, an updated version of the classic remote design (no need to charge a tablet remote!), and Google’s Android TV interface.

How Your Smart TV is Becoming More Intelligent

PSafe Newsroom — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 20:00:59 +0000

When we think of smart TVs, we think of crisp HD picture quality and access to all of our favorite video or music streaming apps. But the newest smart TVs on the market have a lot more to offer than movies and music.

Seemingly Endless Applications
Many new smart TVs, like the Android TV, include access to a variety of gaming apps. Your smart TV can recognize your phone as a type of game controller. Remember your game progress on another device so that you can continue it on your TV. Your smart TV may also allow you to browse the web and offer a variety of other apps like fitness, social media, news, weather, maps, and photo apps. In the future, even more streaming channels, such as those that offer new content from some of your favorite websites, will be available.

Built-in Cameras and Other Features
Many smart TVs include built-in cameras, or else the option to add a camera to your TV. This can be used for gaming purposes, or else to access video-calling apps on your TV. Many smart TVs also allow you to search for a TV show or application with your voice, which can be a lot easier than typing. There’s also the ability for 3D display, meaning that you can watch some of your favorite 3D movies, like Avatar. You can also record your favorite live TV shows without an additional device.

The Risks of Owning a Smarter TV
Just like your other devices, your smart TV can also be hacked. In addition to gaining access to your TV through its Wi-Fi connection, hackers can also spy on you through your TV’s camera or microphone. Unlike your phone or computer, which can be more easily protected against security threats, your TV is more vulnerable. This means that it’s a good idea to avoid online shopping on your TV. Some measures to protect your TV against security threats include avoiding suspicious looking apps and staying up-to-date on your TV’s software.

In addition, if you’re worried about companies spying on your web browsing habits on your computer or phone, then you should know that they’re also spying on your TV habits. TV manufacturers often collect information on what apps you use and what you’re watching, usually for advertising purposes. They can use this information to send targeted ads to any device connected to your Wi-Fi. However, there are often ways to control this through your TV’s privacy settings.