Samsung is loading McAfee antivirus software on smart TVs Even TVs have bloatware now February 28, 2019 https://www.techspot.com/news/78967-samsung-loading-mcafee-antivirus-software-smart-tvs.html
That article is wrong. It states "Samsung is running its very own Tizen OS on all TVs". As clearly seen here, Tizen is a "Linux Foundation Project". While Samsung may be its primary user, they do not have exclusive use to it. Frankly, since smart TVs are typically connected to consumers home networks, I don't have a problem with Samsung integrating a security app in it. I just am not crazy about them choosing McAfee. As far as it being "bloatware", that's just the author ranting. Bloat implies the software is bogging down performance. Not happening. BTW - my smart TV connects to the "Guest" side of my router.
I believe you mean you set it up on the Guest Wi-Fi connection. When I set up my Hitachi Smart TV, that was the only connection the router allow me to set it on. It wouldn't allow the setup on the main Wi-Fi connection for some unknown reason.
Same difference. The point is, it has Internet access, but is isolated from my main network and more importantly, my computers on my main network. That is odd - especially since many home routers (or WAPs - wireless access points) don't support guest networks.
Samsung’s security reminder makes the case for not owning a Samsung smart TV Run a virus scan ‘every few weeks,’ it says June 17, 2019 https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/17/18681683/samsung-smart-tv-virus-scan-malware-attack-tweet
What a stupid, biased, totally unprofessional comment by a clearly amateurish, wannabe journalist! If anything, that reminder (a good thing, BTW) illustrates a case for not owning any smart TV - be it from Samsung, Sony, LG, Vizio, TCL, Sharp, Acme or whoever. But his headline, clearly meant to grab attention for him instead of summarizing the real problem, has the potential effect of dissuading TV buyers from buying Samsung and instead, going with a brand (or generic! ) model that has no anti-malware protection at all!
They oversimplified that, but Tizen-specific parts of system were developed by people who were directly on Samsung's (or some subsidiary company) payroll. If we want to be 100% correct we shouldn't even talk about Samsung. Instead we should name specific company that may be part of Samsung Group or it subsidiaries.
I guess that everything connected to net will soon need some kind of AM, AV... solution. Whether we should connect everything under the sun to internet is another story.
Samsung asks users to please virus-scan their TVs June 18, 2019 https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/06/samsung-please-virus-scan-your-tv/
Does your smart TV need antivirus? September 14, 2019 https://www.which.co.uk/news/2019/09/does-your-smart-tv-need-antivirus/