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216M Spy TVs – The LG Smart TV Problem [video]

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Re: 216M Spy TVs – The LG Smart TV Problem [video]

#341

Post by mapontosevenths »

jojobas wrote: post #235
ezst wrote: post #155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This. Why would you even connect TV to the network? I happen to have a NAS with family pictures I like to display. I can (and do) firewall that thing, but then you hit other issues like the apps you need to show pictures and movies in the first place not to install/run. I've yet to hear of a reasonable recipe to isolate and secure such connected TVs. And don't get me started on Chromecast or other Android dongles,…

Any SBC like Radxa Rock (cheap) to Orange Pi (powerful). 4k output, a linux you control, play retro games or stream torrent movies.

Not well.

If you only care about file playback, bit still care about things like HDR and quality audio I would recommend something like the OSMC Vero V instead.

It's still relatively cheap, and open source, but also let's you playback something like a blu-ray rip without loss of quality.

It has the other bonus of not requiring any real setup or maintenance.

Re: 216M Spy TVs – The LG Smart TV Problem [video]

#343

Post by numpad0 »

iamtedd wrote: post #193
bzzzt wrote: post #185

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, but support in devices and cables is very limited.

How much would support increase when manufacturers realise how few of their TVs don't get connected to the network?

Not even game consoles, PCs, even Raspberry Pi don't support it. Which is odd, so there are probably reasons why it's not worth the troubles.

Re: 216M Spy TVs – The LG Smart TV Problem [video]

#344

Post by cr3ative »

holowoodman wrote: post #333
alex_duf wrote: post #291

What would the HN crowd recommend for a good linux streaming box + hardware with decent TV UX and remote? My LG is completely offline and I'm using an nvidia shield to display any content, but I'm thinking maybe I need to go the extra mile, there nothing preventing an android tv box to do the same.

> My LG is completely offline Are you sure? They will seek out open WiFi and other neighboring LG TVs as relays.

That is an _incredible_ claim, please back it up.

Re: 216M Spy TVs – The LG Smart TV Problem [video]

#345

Post by dylan604 »

Angostura wrote: post #276
korzinka wrote: post #107

I've bought an LG Smart TV 5 years ago, read t&c where I was supposed to grant them any data they wanted, decided to disagree and kept all network functions disabled. I was ridiculed by my friends for that. At some point, I thought - maybe I'm really crazy to do so? Who am I, a caveman, a luddite? Oh well, I'm not. Not a bad tv though, many HDMI ports!

Mine is still attached to the network, but I’ve turned off all the ad/customisation &AI stuff. Seems to work fine, no ads etc. though usually I’m using it simply as a screen for the AppleTV. I do have it isolated from other devices on my network, though.

If you're only using it as a screen for the AppleTV, why connect it to the network at all?

Re: 216M Spy TVs – The LG Smart TV Problem [video]

#346

Post by cr3ative »

alex_duf wrote: post #291

What would the HN crowd recommend for a good linux streaming box + hardware with decent TV UX and remote? My LG is completely offline and I'm using an nvidia shield to display any content, but I'm thinking maybe I need to go the extra mile, there nothing preventing an android tv box to do the same.

Apple TV.

Re: 216M Spy TVs – The LG Smart TV Problem [video]

#348

Post by mopsi »

trueno wrote: post #308
Dan_- wrote: post #284

Earlier quoted context omitted.

LG’s AirPlay requires internet access.

christ we need to start rooting tvs and start up a open and secure tv os. i never give my tv os internet access i rely on the appletv for the "smart tv" but if what another poster says is true about lg devices looking for public wifi to exfiltrate data then lol time to start pulling tvs apart and shielding their network components from getting a signal

That basically exists, but runs on external hardware: https://kodi.tv/

There's no need for the TV to be anything but a dumb screen that has only "power on", "power off", "volume up", "volume down" and "mute" functions. Most are probably too underpowered anyway to be useful.

Re: 216M Spy TVs – The LG Smart TV Problem [video]

#349

Post by semiquaver »

The source video is excellent: https://youtu.be/6IFVTcM28KA

I have two LG TVs so this freaks me out a lot. I guess I’m fortunate to have kept their network permanently disconnected (we use Apple TV for smart stuff) but who knows if they don’t do things like scan for open hotspots or connect without permission to networks you previously used to update firmware and then deleted from history.

This company needs to be nuked from orbit. Automatic content recognition is one thing, spying on conversations when switched off is a whole other level of violation.

Re: 216M Spy TVs – The LG Smart TV Problem [video]

#350

Post by account42 »

wavesplash wrote: post #274
throw93947309 wrote: post #123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This. Why would you even connect TV to the network? It is well known for like 5 years. Smsrt TVs go through your movies library, and upload screenshots and filenames to internet. Some will start showing ads after firmware upgrade.

Watch the video the article is based on - not connecting to the internet doesn't keep you safe in many cases: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IFVTcM28KA

"Watch this two hour long video" is not a particularly useful reply. If you think the TV can exfiltrate your data without an internet connection then you should be able to explain how it could do that in your own words.
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