Do you run antivirus on your Smart TV? Samsung says that it is important to scan your TV for malware and viruses "to keep it running smoothly". Ohh, how ironic.

Samsung TVs with manual antivirus
To prevent malware and viruses you should scan your TV every few weeks, according to Samsung's support division on social media.

That probably sounds like an absurd suggestion to most owners but it is also ironic considering the fact that Samsung Smart TVs run a closed operating system called Tizen where validated apps must be installed through Samsung's own curated app portal.


Scanning your computer for malware viruses is important to keep it running smoothly. This also is true for your QLED TV if it's connected to Wi-Fi!

Prevent malicious software attacks on your TV by scanning for viruses on your TV every few weeks. Here's how 👇 pic.twitter.com/7hWUfJwy1K
— Samsung Support USA (@SamsungSupport) June 17, 2019

Security gaps?
Where exactly are these viruses coming from? And why are Samsung Smart TVs not automatically protected? It is not clear but the recommendation implies that there are security gaps in Samsung's Tizen operating system.

In recent years, the company has been eager to highlight that its Smart TVs, which are equipped with the Knox system, are secure. These safeguards were implemented after Samsung was caught lying about how it secured and shared recorded conversations from the living room with third parties. The revelations threw the company into a global crisis and Samsung soon after started phasing out voice capabilities in its TVs. In more recent years, voice features have returned in the form of the company's Bixby voice assistant.

  Also read: Guide: How to turn off Smart TV tracking (ACR)

As The Verge points out, it is an ironic reminder of the state of modern Smart TVs. From Smart TVs that do not receive major software updates to Smart TVs that spy on your viewing habits, there are multiple concerns. You can now apparently add malware and viruses to the list.

- Source: Samsung USA via The Verge