- Smart TVs are expected to be used by 32.8 million Japanese by 2026

According to Statista  ( 
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1020130/japan-internet-connected-tv-household-penetration/ 
), 21.6 million households in Japan owned a smart TV in 2019 and it is expected 
to grow to 32.8 million by fiscal year 2026. However, many people do nothing to 
protect their smart devices. 

In 2019 (https://www.businessinsider.com/smart-tv-security-fbi-warning-2019-12 
), the FBI released a warning stating that smart TVs can make users vulnerable 
to surveillance and attacks by bad actors. Since then, user security technology 
has become more advanced, but internet-connected devices remain vulnerable. 

"Like any device that regularly connects to the internet, smart TVs collect a 
lot of private data, which leads to a variety of privacy and security concerns. 
But, unlike other smart devices, they cannot be equipped with the latest 
cybersecurity software (like antivirus), and that makes them even more 
vulnerable to cybercrime," a digital security expert from NordVPN 
(https://nordvpn.com/ja/ ), Daniel Markuson, comments.

What should we be concerned about?

With smart TVs, the possibility of somebody actually watching or listening to 
users is much higher than with a traditional set. Hackers can access a smart 
TV's camera and microphone through malware, which they can slip into the user's 
TV if it is connected to Wi-Fi.

Tracking is another issue that users need to worry about. Like any smart 
device, smart TVs use a lot of trackers. Services like Netflix, Hulu, or HBO GO 
collect users' data and track their streaming behavior to personalize their 
experience on the platforms. 

In addition, if a smart TV is used for web browsing, it can be infected with 
various viruses too. Like computers, smart TVs run on software, but they don't 
have the same strong antivirus and firewall systems installed. 

How to improve your smart TV's security?

    -- Use strong passwords. If your TV is regularly or continually connected 
       to the internet, make sure the device itself uses strong, hard-to-
       guess passwords. 
    -- Always update your TV's software whenever a new version becomes 
       available. 
    -- Secure your router. Along with any other IoT devices you might have, 
       your smart TV will probably connect to the internet through a router 
       in your house. 
    -- Download apps from official stores only. 
    -- Turn off your TV camera when not in use. Whether it's a built-in 
       camera or the one connected to a TV via Wi-Fi, turn it off when not 
       using it. 

SOURCE   NordVPN