Stopping the smart TV from being used against you
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Smart TVs and LG monitors can install unwanted software on Windows PCs via HDMI EDID data.
An LG smart TV or monitor, when connected to a Windows PC via HDMI, can automatically install unwanted software like McAfee antivirus through a driver update. This happens because Windows trusts the EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) protocol, which normally only communicates monitor specs. LG reportedly pays Microsoft to allow its 'driver' to install additional bloatware. The author recommends hardware EDID blockers to prevent this, along with never giving smart TVs internet access, using Linux, or buying non-smart displays.
What commenters are saying
Commenters strongly condemn the practice, with many echoing the article's advice to never give smart TVs internet access. A key point is that cable providers like Xfinity and Cox use customer routers as public hotspots, often without explicit consent. Some suggest physically removing WiFi or cellular antennas from TVs and cars. Others argue that a separate media device (like a Linux mini-PC) is a better approach, though caveats exist for DRM-protected content. One commenter criticizes the article's tone as 'an exhausting read' despite agreeing with its substance.