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'Red button attack' leaves millions of smart TVs vulnerable

2014-06-09 10:14 by
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Computer scientists from Columbia University have warned of a critical vulnerability in smart TVs that lets hackers quickly and anonymously hijack home networks. Their study found that the red button feature on the devices can be hijacked to allow hackers to access users' internet accounts to send spam and post to social media.

The attack affects any device that is compatible with the HbbTV industry standard (HbbTV stands for hybrid broadcast-broadband) which the researchers says is deeply flawed, essentially offering an open network to any individual with a cheap radio amplifier and a few lines of code.

It turns out that these 'Red Button' attacks don't require the TV to have an internet connection, instead it hacks into the digital broadcasts used by services like Freeview.

Read more -here-

 

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