Android TV is the system of choice when it comes to buying a television. Although It has certain differences with Google TV, far surpasses all its rivals as it offers many more apps and games. Although you should know How to protect your Android TV from viruses and malware.
Yes, attacks are the order of the day, and not just on your mobile phone. Thieves manage to attack all kinds of devices. And your Smart TV or player with the Google operating system is one of them. So let's see howHow to effectively protect your Android TV from viruses and malware.
Can my Android TV get viruses?
Despite general perception, the answer is yes. An Android TV device, like any Internet-connected device, can be infected by viruses or malware. The reason is that these devices run on the Android operating system, which is known to be a common target for cyberattacks due to its popularity and the freedom it offers to install applications from various sources.
Come on, it is much easier for you to get infected with a TV with Android TV or Google TV than with other brands like LG that uses webOS or Samsung that uses Tizen. And the reason is as simple as there are more users, so Cybercriminals focus their efforts on this operating system.
Also, you may have a Trojan horse at home and not even know it. A recent TechSpot report revealed that A malware called Vo1d infected approximately 13 million Android TV devices and media players. This type of malware is most often found pre-installed on cheap devices that are sold without proper security controls.
Don't buy an Android TV player from an unknown brand
We are talking about models that have been very popular on Amazon, so if you have a cheap multimedia player from a Chinese brand other than Xiaomi, be very careful because such devices are extremely vulnerable.s. Vo1d malware, for example, specializes in displaying intrusive ads, stealthily mining cryptocurrency, and collecting personal data without user consent. You won't notice anything and they will be using your equipment to mine, which will result in poor performance. And on top of that, they are stealing your personal data without permission.
The security problem is aggravated when we are talking about non-certified media players. These devices, usually imported and from unknown brands, do not go through Google's security checks, making them more likely to contain pre-installed malware. Even though they may be offered at very attractive prices, stay away from them.
How to protect my Android TV from viruses and malware
Okay, so we've seen that malware exists on Android TV, so let's see how to avoid viruses on your TV or media player. Keep in mind that these tips will also work for devices with Google TV.
Avoid installing applications from unofficial sources
Let's start with the basics. Times have changed and installing apps that are not on Google Play is no longer a good idea at all. Although Android TV allows the installation of applications in APK format, it is recommended to download and install them only from the Google Play Store or other official and trusted sources. And that is because malware sometimes sneaks into Google Play itself…
But installing apps from third-party sites increases the risk of introducing malware into the system. So, it's better to avoid APKs.
Disable installation of applications from unknown sources
You should also keep in mind thatSomeone can install an application from unknown sources. So disable the option as soon as possible. If you are not going to install APKs, nobody can do it for you. It is rare that someone comes to your house, but you may take the TV or the player to a friend's house, a public place... Better safe than sorry.
Do not connect USB devices from unknown sources
USBs of unknown origin are loaded by the devil. And even more so when they are a gift. Just like with computers, these devices can be infected with malware that transfers to your Android TV as soon as they are connected.
So we're afraid you should avoid connecting any device that doesn't come from a trusted source or hasn't been previously scanned.
Do not use public WiFi networks
It's also not a good idea to use a public Wi-Fi network. These networks are more susceptible to attacks and it's easier for someone to try to access your device. You may be stealing the wrong neighbor's WiFi and they will act accordingly.ia. And the same for that open WiFi at the coffee shop on duty.
You should always update your Android TV
Make sure that both the Android TV operating system and the applications are always updated to their latest versions. Of course, Google releases security patches on Android TV, so it's best to keep your device up to date.
How to know if my Android TV has a virus
We may have scared the shit out of you, but prevention is better than cure. So now that you know what you should do to avoid malware on Android TV, let's see how to tell if your smart TV or media player is infected.
Excessive or unexpected announcements
If you start seeing on-screen ads regularly, even when you're not using apps, it's a clear sign that something is wrong. Some types of malware are designed to display ads and generate revenue for their creators. And we've already told you about the nearly 2 million infected devices. So if you have a player from an unknown Chinese brand, you might as well throw it away.
The device becomes slower
Has your Android TV become slow out of nowhere? Malware may be consuming resources in the background, whether to run malicious scripts, mine cryptocurrency, or collect personal data.
It may also be that the memory of the TV or player is full. The best thing you can do is turn it off, leave it for a few minutes, and turn it back on to see if it regains performance.
Unrecognized applications
If you notice apps that you don't remember installing, it may be a sign that your device is compromisedCybercriminals install apps to mine cryptocurrency or display ads, so you better check this information.
What to do if you think your Android TV has a virus?
If you suspect your Android TV is infected, the quickest way to remove any malware is to reset it to its factory settings. This will erase all apps and settings, returning the device to its original state.
It is true that you will lose data, but it's the best you can do. Since it's a TV and there's probably nothing important on it, it's best not to save anything and just delete everything.
- Go to Settings on your Android TV.
- Go to the Device Preferences section.
- Select Reset. (Depending on your TV model, this option may appear with names like Recovery or Factory Reset.)
- Confirm the action by following the on-screen prompts to complete the reset process.
