Smart TV owners told to make four urgent checks now after hackers targeted 1.3million boxes

YOUR TV might seem like an unlikely victim to you, but it's a dream for hackers.

Cyber criminals can use your television to sneak into your Wi-Fi network and onto other electronic devices in the home to steal precious data - and even use your electricity to mine cryptocurrencies.

“Like any smart device in the home, smart TVs are vulnerable to malware and the threat increases if users upload third party apps to them or they refrain from regular updates," Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at cybersecurity firm ESET, told The Sun.

“Although the risk is much lower than on laptops and desktops, it's still a valid concern."

Cyber crooks are best known for hacking into smartphones and PCs, using a range of tactics from phishing and smishing, to fake adverts and apps.

But it appears hawk-eyed hackers are looking for fresh prey.

“The trouble is that most people are now aware of the dangers of criminals accessing our mobile phones and PCs and have layers of security to minimise the risks of being hacked," Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN, explained.

"Something like your TV, your Wi-Fi or your smart home devices are much less likely to have any protections and can be an easy entry point for cyber crooks.

"As well as harvesting users’ personal data this software, once enabled, means the box can also connect with a wider network of bots and be used by cybercriminals to gain revenue by mining cryptocurrency or clicking on ads.”

Just last week, security firm Doctor Web revealed that nearly 1.3million Android TV boxes had been hacked with malicious malware.

Researchers still don’t know the cause of the malware infection, which spanned almost 200 countries.

Do I have an Android TV?

Android TVs come under a number of brand names, which all use an operating system based on Android and developed by Google.

Brands of Android TVs include:

• Sony
• Panasonic
• LG
• Hisense
• Samsung
• Roku

Four checks to avoid TV hacking

• Stay updated

• Delete unused apps

• Install anti-malware software

• Don't buy from third parties

Making sure all your devices, including your TV, have the most recent firmware and software installed is a must, according to Moore, as well as deleting unused apps.

"To improve TV security, users must always keep their TV's firmware up to date, avoid using unknown apps and remove any apps that aren’t required or used anymore," he explained.

Unused zombie apps, even on iOS and Android, can present a security risk because you might not have updated your privacy settings on them.

He added: "Users can even install anti-malware software specifically designed for TVs and conduct scans if they want to have extra piece of mind.”

While Briedis' "number one piece of advice" is that consumers must never buy Android TVs from third parties.

Consumers must always purchase gadgets from reputable sellers.

"While [Android TVs] are often targeted with malware attacks, they can be perfectly safe if they are bought from reputable sources and updated regularly with software and security patches," Briedis cautioned.

Suspect you have fallen victim?

Briedis also noted four more actions you must execute if you suspect you have fallen victim to malware through your TV

• Disconnect the TV from your Wi-Fi
• Factory reset the TV in Settings
• Update to latest software
• Update apps to latest version

“Disconnect the TV from the internet, factory reset it, and update its operating system and apps," he said.

And if you want to be extra secure, Briedis added: "You should also consider changing your Wi-Fi password and scanning your network for other compromised devices."